New sight and sound experience

To hear well means safety for some and quality of life for others. Both these needs can now be met with innovative technology and high-performance plastics. But the wonders of modern technology can transform not just hearing but also seeing into a new quality experience thanks to good ideas and proven know-how.

People who are hard of hearing can be helped. Werner von Siemens realised this back in 1878 when he developed a special telephone receiver for people with hearing difficulties. Things have come a long way since then. New medical discoveries, numerous technological advances and material innovations now offer people suffering from hearing loss very comfortable, powerful and, above all, small hearing aid systems. The best example is Acuris, the new hearing aid family from Siemens. Acuris hearing aids feature a multi-channel, adaptive directional microphone system with up to three microphones. Through automatic mode adjustment and immediate response to noise sources, undesirable ambient noise is reduced. For miniaturization, an MID (molded interconnect device) is used, the so-called MIC module (microphone module).

Miniaturization: small, strong voice in your ear

The suitability of the Ticona material Vectra E820i LDS for laser direct structuring makes it possible to accommodate the complex technical system in a small hearing aid. This liquid crystal polymer allows production of thin-walled parts and selective metallization. Extremely fine conductor patterns can now be created with a laser. The first step in the production process is to manufacture the component in a simple injection molding operation. A computer-controlled laser beam then ‘draws’ a three-dimensional layout of conductor tracks on its surfaces, which are subsequently electroplated. In this way, Vectra LCP is used to produce three-dimensional circuit boards, which have made a vital contribution to the development and success of Siemens hearing aids.

20/20 vision thanks to dimensionally stable PBT

Countless people who are near- or far-sighted no longer simply have to accept their fate and wear glasses with thick lenses. A small, microprocessor-controlled, motor-powered mini-scalpel for eye surgery known as the “Carriazo Pendular” can help them. In producing this device, the manufacturer, SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions, relies on Celanex^® polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). This engineering thermoplastic from Ticona is used to make the blade holder for the scalpel that cuts a thin, circular flap (100 to 130 µm) in the cornea. Extremely high precision is required for this cutting technology to ensure that the flap has consistent thickness and smooth edges. After laser treatment of the eye, the flap can then be hinged back down and repositions itself without any problem.

The Celanex PBT medical technology grade 2402 MT is biocompatible, approved for medical applications, chemical-resistant and gamma-sterilizable. As the material for the blade holder, it offers excellent wear resistance, slip/abrasion properties and dimensional stability and withstands the stresses imposed by the blade’s pendular cutting movement. The need for the material to have absolute dimensional stability is self-evident. After all, the blade holder has a key function during the operation. Any deviations in flap thickness must be reduced to a minimum. With this PBT blade holder, such deviations are limited to only ten to twelve microns. So Celanex helps restore 20/20 vision to patients.