Editor Rob Spiegel chatted with New Scale Technologies CEO David Henderson about the miniaturization of medical devices in an article posted on Design News and MD+DI.

Henderson explained that miniaturization requires re-assessment and new thinking of all product specifications to create a practical solution.

As an example, he discussed a company that was exploring new designs for arthroscopic tools with the actuators on the distal end – inside the body nearest to the procedure.

“Their goal was to eliminate cables, joints and the associated transfer mechanisms that connect to external motors or the surgeon’s hands,” Henderson said, adding that this goal was not achievable.

“Their specification for force and torque were unchanged from existing external motion sources. At the same time, they wanted a solution that was 100 times smaller in volume. This was not feasible.”

Read the article for more examples.