Reliable Connections Save Lives – Harwin's Role in Medical Device Engineering
Reliable connections are critical in cutting-edge medical devices.
Advanced healthcare systems rely heavily on electronic devices for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. This growing dependence on Medical Technology (MedTech) is due to demographic shifts, notably aging populations worldwide and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and respiratory disorders. In this regard, healthcare providers and device manufacturers are focused on creating connected, intelligent systems that enable continuous monitoring, real-time data analysis, and personalized treatment plans. Such systems are only possible with rugged and reliable connectivity, since without robust connectivity, even the most advanced sensors or processors are rendered ineffective.
This article explores how reliable connectivity enhances the performance and safety of connected medical devices and highlights Harwin’s role in enabling robust, compact solutions for demanding healthcare environments.
Connected and Remote Medical Devices
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is a specialized segment of the broader Internet of Things (IoT) focused on healthcare applications. It consists of interconnected medical devices that collect, analyze, and transmit health data over secure networks.
The IoMT reduces reliance on in-person visits by providing enhanced access to patient health information, which leads to cost savings and improved care efficiency for both patients and providers. The market for IoMT is expanding, with a valuation estimated at around USD 79.64 billion in 2024 and projected to grow to USD 244.4 billion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.8% through 2029. This growth is due to increasing demand for remote patient monitoring, adoption of wearable technologies, integration with telehealth services, and advances in AI and machine learning that provide actionable inputs from vast health data streams.
Remote monitoring and telehealth have become pivotal in managing chronic conditions and improving patient outcomes. For example, in cardiac care, telehealth supports monitoring of arrhythmias, heart failure, hypertension, and coronary artery disease through wearable or implantable devices. These interventions help reduce disease progression, lower blood pressure, and cut healthcare costs by enabling timely clinical decisions without frequent hospital visits.
Similarly, diabetes management remote monitoring devices like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) transmit real-time blood glucose data to healthcare providers. This allows for personalized medication adjustments and lifestyle coaching, leading to clinically relevant improvements in glycemic control, especially in type 2 diabetes.
Wearable devices have transformed over the years from simple fitness trackers to sophisticated FDA-approved diagnostic tools used in both clinical and home environments. Consumer-grade wearables monitor vital signs such as heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns. In clinical settings, advanced wearables provide continuous monitoring of critical parameters to provide early detection of health issues. Devices like smartwatches with ECG capabilities or glucose monitors integrate with telehealth platforms, enabling remote patient monitoring and timely interventions.
Technological advances in miniaturization have also been instrumental in enhancing the mobility and usability of connected medical devices. Smaller, lighter devices increase patient comfort and compliance by reducing the burden of wearing or carrying medical equipment. Miniaturized sensors, processors, and wireless communication modules fit into compact form factors without compromising performance or reliability.
Engineering Challenges in Modern Medical Devices
Advanced medical devices are being deployed in diverse, uncontrolled settings. For instance, devices like portable infusion pumps, wearable ECG monitors, and home dialysis systems are expected to deliver consistent performance not only in clinical environments but also in patients’ homes or workplaces. This necessitates robust engineering to ensure devices are accurate and dependable despite fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and user handling.
Moreover, many modern medical devices are frequently subjected to harsh environmental conditions. For instance, exposure to moisture from sweat, rain, or accidental spills poses a risk to sensitive electronics. Similarly, devices worn on the body or carried during daily activities should withstand shocks, drops, and constant vibration. Therefore, engineering solutions prioritize ruggedization, employing protective enclosures, sealed connectors, and vibration-resistant mounting to safeguard device functionality in real-world use.
Another challenge for modern medical devices is continuous operating requirements. Many life-sustaining and monitoring devices are expected to function around the clock, for months or even years without interruption. Therefore, their components must be selected for exceptional durability, and systems must be designed to dissipate heat efficiently and resist wear from continuous use.
Modern medical devices often combine multiple sensors, microprocessors, wireless communication modules, and power management systems within extremely compact enclosures. Achieving reliable connectivity and signal integrity in such tight spaces is a significant challenge. To deal with this integration complexity, engineers carefully select connectors that deliver both power and data in minimal footprints.
Why Connectivity Is Critical in Life-Sustaining Applications
The Role of Connectors in Device Integrity
Connectors are sometimes overlooked in the broader system architecture. However, they serve as the critical conduits for both power and data transmission across modular components. Connectors underpin the functional integrity of the entire device, whether linking sensors to microcontrollers, batteries to power management circuits, or enabling communication between subsystems. Any compromise in connector performance can disrupt the delicate balance required for safe, reliable operation.
Failure Modes and Real-World Risks
The consequences of unreliable connectivity in medical devices can be immediate and potentially life-threatening. For instance, even brief lapses in electrical continuity can corrupt sensor readings or introduce noise, leading to misinterpretation of a patient’s vital signs.
In devices such as infusion pumps or ventilators, a failed connector can result in a complete loss of function. In medical devices, unlike non-critical consumer electronics, there is no margin for error, and any downtime can have dire consequences for patient health.
Moreover, faulty connections can cause diagnostic equipment to deliver false positives or negatives, potentially resulting in inappropriate treatments or missed emergencies.
Consequences of Connector Failure in Critical Use Cases
Failures in connectivity have different implications across application types. For instance, in intensive care units and operating rooms, a single unreliable connection can disrupt complex workflows, delay critical interventions, and compromise surgical outcomes. Connector reliability is also critical for devices designed to operate inside or on the patient’s body. Failures can go undetected until they result in clinical deterioration, as patients and caregivers may not be able to troubleshoot or replace faulty parts in real-time.
Similarly, in the chaotic emergency environment, equipment is subjected to rough handling, vibration, and environmental extremes. Here, a connector failure not only risks a device; it can mean the difference between life and death in time-critical scenarios.
Harwin’s Connectivity Solutions for Medical Applications
Harwin has established itself as a trusted partner in the medical technology sector by delivering connector systems that combine compactness, ruggedness, and long-term reliability. Its Gecko and Gecko-MT series are central to Harwin’s medical offering. These connectors are specifically designed for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP)-constrained applications.
The Gecko and Gecko-MT Series: Ultra-Compact, High-Performance Connector Systems
Harwin’s Gecko and Gecko-MT series represent advanced connector technology for medical devices, particularly in space, weight, and performance-constrained applications. These connectors feature a miniature 1.25mm pitch, which makes them compact and ideal for integration into shrinking footprints of modern medical electronics. The Gecko family is available in a variety of pin counts and supports both power and signal transmission within a single connector, due to hybrid configurations. This flexibility allows device designers to optimize layouts and reduce component count.
The SWaP-constrained design of Gecko connectors is important in applications such as ambulatory monitors, portable diagnostic tools, and advanced wearable health trackers, which require comfort and mobility.
Harwin Gecko 1.25mm pitch connectors
Proven Resistance to Shock, Vibration, and Environmental Stress
Harwin draws on its heritage in high-reliability sectors by incorporating military-grade ruggedness into its medical connector solutions. The Gecko series, for instance, is engineered to withstand intense shock and vibration conditions commonly encountered in patient-worn or mobile devices. Moreover, their wide operational temperature range, from -65°C to +150°C, ensures stable performance in diverse operating conditions.
Long-Term Reliability and Maintenance-Free Operation
Connector reliability is non-negotiable for medical devices that function continuously for long periods. The robust construction and high-quality contact materials used in Harwin’s Gecko connectors reduce the risk of wear, corrosion, or failure over time. This makes them well-suited for wearable and semi-permanent devices, where frequent maintenance or replacement is impractical. In this regard, Harwin’s solutions help lower the total cost of ownership and reduce the burden on healthcare providers and patients by minimizing the need for intervention.
Secure Signal Integrity for Accurate Monitoring
Harwin’s connectors are designed with advanced EMI shielding and low contact resistance to ensure the clean and consistent transmission of sensitive biosignals. In real-time monitoring systems such as ECGs, infusion pumps, and neurostimulators, this shielding is very crucial because any latency or signal loss could compromise patient safety or diagnostic accuracy.
Compliance and Safety Standards in Medical Engineering
Harwin’s products are designed and manufactured in accordance with stringent quality standards, including EN9100D / AS9100D, which, while rooted in the aerospace sector, emphasizes robust quality management and continuous improvement. These principles are equally valuable in the development of high-reliability medical devices. Such certifications provide confidence to medical device manufacturers.
Design for Regulatory Approval
Connector reliability plays a pivotal role in achieving regulatory approval for medical devices, as failures during compliance testing can lead to costly delays or redesigns. The robust performance and documented quality of Gecko connectors help ensure that devices meet or exceed the demanding standards set by regulatory bodies and ultimately deliver safe, effective medical technologies to patients worldwide.
Conclusion: Enabling the Future of Safe, Connected Healthcare
Reliable connectors are fundamental components of next-generation MedTech. Harwin’s specialized solutions, including the Gecko and Gecko-MT series, offer medical device engineers a platform they can build on with confidence. Their proven reliability, rugged performance characteristics, and compact design empower OEMs to design smaller, smarter devices without compromising robustness or regulatory readiness. Engineers and OEMs looking to deliver safer, smarter, and smaller medical devices can rely on Harwin’s rugged, compact connectors to meet performance demands without compromising compliance or reliability. To find out more, visit Harwin’s website.
References
Harwin. [Online] Available at: https://www.harwin.com/ (Accessed on June 25, 2025)
Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) Market Report 2025. [Online] Research and Markets. Available at: https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5930992/internet-medical-things-iomt-market-report (Accessed on June 25, 2025)
Gecko. Micro-Miniature Connectors for SWaP-C Optimization. [Online] Harwin. Available at: https://www.harwin.com/hri-range/gecko (Accessed on June 25, 2025)
Harwin for Medical. [Online] Harwin. Available at: https://www.harwin.com/markets/medical (Accessed on June 25, 2025)