Selected developments

Device for lactation consultants and lactation research

Our customer Medela supports mothers and consultants with a wide range of products related to breastfeeding. The company develops high-quality breastpumps for hospitals and personal use and is renowned for excellence in evidence-based research, which has enabled it to develop the most advanced breastpump technology.

This measurement instrument, which was developed by Carag, is used to support the breast-feeding mother. It records various types of data during the pumping process and provides the opportunity to evaluate the data later. Thus, valuable information can be gained for the consultation on the basis of the current weight curve.

The composition of mother’s milk changes during the pumping period. This is taken into account by the device developed by Carag and permits a fractionation of the milk into different bottles. In addition to the standard models with 3 bottles, the device can also be fitted with 12 or 24 test tubes for research purposes.

Technical data:

• 8-bit USB OTG controller (8 MHz)
• Graphics display on device
• Stepper motor for exact bottle positioning
• Weight measurement: 0 – 400 g (±0.1 g)
• Connections for external sensors (2 pct.)
• Internal power supply
• Graphically appealing PC software

Miniature spectrometer

Fourier Transform Spectrometers (FTS) are the most powerful spectrometers on the market. The advantages of FTS compared to conventional grating spectrometers are the bandwidth and the higher spectral resolution. However, the complex mechanism for the control of the sampling mirror makes this type of spectrometer more expensive and relatively large.

The use of state-of-the art technologies from the MEMS chip manufacturing sector (Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems) makes a miniaturization of the well-known FTS architecture possible, which has been inconceivable until now. Using the processes known from semiconductor manufacture, production is now possible at a cost that is considerably lower than that of conventional devices.

• Size: 15 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm
• Bandwidth: 400 - 2600 nm

The potential applications of this high-precision spectrometer are numerous, and extend from process control, environmental monitoring and gas detection to applications in the food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries.

Apgar Timer for reliable determination of the Apgar score

The Agpar score is a method to determine the condition of a newborn baby immediately after delivery. It consists of five characteristics:

• Appearance (color)
• Pulse (heart rate)
• Grimace (response to stimulation)
• Activity (muscle tone)
• Respiration (breathing)

The Apgar timer by our customer Medela is a reliable, robust aid and supports the determination of the Apgar score using acoustic signals.

Carag did a complete redesign of the electronics and the firmware of the device and brought it to serial production.

Consulting and supporting introduction of a QM-system according to GLP

Good laboratory practice (GLP) is a quality system concerned with the organisational process and the conditions under which non-clinical health and environmental safety studies are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, archived and reported.

The OECD principles of Good Laboratory Practice are defined in Annex I of the European directive 2004/10/EC.

Carag accompanied the introduction of a quality management system compliant with the principles of good laboratory practice. It supported its customer HIK-Hannover in developing the QM handbook and the corresponding standard operating procedures and forms in compliance with GLP. Carag guided him through the audits up to the successful confirmation of GLP conformity by the notified body.