Medical Device Power Supply Units: 4 Tips for Sourcing the Right One

Medical device manufacturers face a uniquely demanding market. They need to maintain high standards of manufacturing quality while also meeting the ever-growing needs of a wide variety of end users. This challenge can be mitigated by making common sense choices when selecting a power supply unit (PSU) for your medical device. This buying guide can help you make the right choice before you purchase your unit.

What Makes a Good Medical Device Power Supply?

When designing and manufacturing medically graded power supplies, the protection and safety of the patient and operator are of utmost importance. Medical device PSU’s must comply with medical standards to ensure patient safety. In addition to this, medical PSU’s must have optimal insulation properties to protect the patient from electrical shock, be able to adapt to various power sources (hospital environment or patient homes), and be compatible with analogue or digital circuits.

Choosing the right type of PSU for your medical device

The type of PSU you choose will depend on the type of medical equipment you are powering and the intended end use of that equipment. For example, if you are powering an insulin pump, you may want to choose a type of power supply that provides around 12V at 3A

1. Class: Deciding the appropriate power supply needed for your medical device will require finding out the Class it falls under. There are generally four (4) classes with various risk and control levels according to UK legal requirements. To be certain about your medical device class, click here for guidance. Ideal Power focuses on creating power supply solutions for Class II devices.
2. Types: Medical device types are divided based on contact/proximity with patient. This is also known as Applied Parts Specification. The Three (3) categories include Type B (Body devices), Type BF (Body floating devices) and Type CF (Cardiac Floating devices).

PSU selection criteria

There are certain specifications that to look out for in a power supply unit for your medical device.

1. Power Quality – The output voltage and the frequency of the output voltage should both be within the recommended specifications. If a medical device requires a specific voltage, but the PSU you pick has a lower output voltage, your device may not operate correctly or be damaged. The Power supplies (PSU) must have low leakage current.
2. Efficiency: As the medical industry increasingly looks for ways to be more energy efficient, medical device power supplies (PSUs) must meet a higher standard for efficiency. To be considered energy efficient, a PSU must be able to supply the power required by a medical device while using only a small amount of energy. The higher the efficiency of a PSU, the less energy it will use to power a medical device. This can lead to significant cost savings for medical facilities, as well as a reduction in the overall carbon footprint of the medical industry. Try out our efficiency calculator to get you started.
3. Environmental safety and standards: There are various environmental safety and standards put in place for medical device power supply. These standards are necessary to protect both patients and medical personnel from potential risks posed by electrical equipment.

One of the most important safety standards for medical device power supply is the IEC 60601-1 standard. This standard establishes basic safety requirements for the design and manufacture of electrical equipment, including medical devices. IEC 60601-1 is an international standard, and it is the basis for many national and regional deviations or standards.

Other standards include Means of Protection (Means of Patient Protection (MOPP) & Means of Operator Protection (MOOP)), EMC Testing & leakage testing are worthy of note to begin standard checks.

4. Life expectancy: Medical Device PSU’s are expected to have a greater life expectancy due to the length of time medical institutions typically use the devices/equipment. Medical Device PSU’s are used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices and are expected to have a long life span so that they can continue to power medical devices for many years.

Conclusion

Choosing the right power supply for your medical device is critical to the long-term reliability and safety of your device. To ensure the best outcome, start by contacting our sales and technical team to find the perfect power solution fit for your medical device.

Here’s a handy downloadable product selection guide for medical devices.