Mechanical Design / Manufacturing
My work experience has involved the design, development and manufacture of medical devices, scientific equipment and other products. From conceptualization and prototyping through to technical definition and market release, I’ve worked closely with manufacturing engineering, R&D, quality, and production to address DFM, form/function, regulatory requirements, life-cycle, cost and other constraints.
I enjoy diving into the details of CAD models & drawings, tolerance analysis, GD&T, defining & validating processes etc., while also being able to think outside the box, bringing a creative approach to problem solving. Below are a few examples of what I’ve created through my career.
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Flow Cell
Here I re-designed a flow cell used in laser light-scattering analytical instruments. The existing flow cell was made of multiple pieces that were tricky to align when assembling and when inserting into equipment for use. I came up with a design introducing features guiding components into precise self-alignment for ease of use and assembly / disassembly, dropping into the mating equipment with accurate and reproducible alignment. US Patent US5404217 issued. co-inventor on patent # 5,404,217
Surgical Camera
A video camera system used in arthroscopic surgery I repackaged to incorporate a new design scheme. Integrated PCB, electronic and optical components addressing EMI/EMC shielding, tactile button action and watertight immersion sterilization compatibility.
Hospital Dispensing System
A modular system of interlocking bin dividers that snap in place into a mating bin, creating configurable drawer spaces in an automated hospital supply dispensing system. Developed concept and designed injection molded parts including the bin, dividers, light pipes and a sheet-metal drawer pan.
Medical Device Packaging
Packaging for a medical device used in dry-eye treatment. The existing cardboard packaging was difficult to remove product from, which I addressed in the design this thermoformed clam-shell tray, holding the eyelid-fitting heater elements to maintain curvature.
Syringe Test Fixture
Automated equipment for testing syringes. The previous manual method involved pulling vacuum on a syringe to the locked position, then carefully setting a weight on the plunger to verify minimum holding force. I designed this equipment and programmed a single-axis robot to automate the process.
Vacuum Chamber
To free a vacuum oven for continuous batch processing of hydrogel, I designed this shoebox-sized fixture to hold product during processing. A magnetically sealing lid closes upon completion of the drying cycle before the main chamber is vented, allowing product to be stored outside the vacuum oven for extended periods of time in these portable vacuum chambers.
Medical Device Tester
Automated test equipment to verify the electronic and thermal functioning of a medical device used in treating dry eye disease. Connects to device under test via pogo pins at both fPCBA and assembled device levels, interfacing with data acquisition system and a controlling tablet via USB. Here I designed the enclosures, fixturing and layout of electrical & electronic components. Also wired together and debugged the overall assembly before sending the equipment to a contract manufacturer.