Watlow Cartridge and Ceramic Heaters for Clinical Applications

Watlow provides exceptional electric thermal solutions that enable clinical diagnostic and medical device OEMs to engineer better products.

Temperature control plays a crucial role in the development of clinical diagnostic instrumentation. Leading equipment manufacturers rely on Watlow’s thermal solutions for clinical application needs because Watlow has the experience to solve the most complex thermal challenges. Its advanced thermal technologies and rapid prototyping assist manufacturers to meet the most demanding product specifications and regulatory requirements.

The broad range of Watlow product offerings encompasses all the components required for an integrated thermal system for clinical equipment where uniform operating temperatures are required for effective performance.

These include FLUENT® In-Line Heaters, ULTRAMIC® Advanced Ceramic Heaters, solvent-resistant Polyimide Heaters, and rugged Silicone Rubber Heaters, together with a wide array of sophisticated control solutions.

FLUENT® In-Line Heaters

Watlow’s new FLUENT® in-line heater is a small, lightweight, high-performance heater that can replace both a traditional immersion type heater or a heater wrapped around a tube as part of a thermal system. FLUENT features an all-stainless steel construction for a clean, non-contaminating heat source.

FLUENT is designed as an integrated solution that replaces multiple components in a system, thus reducing overall system cost and complexity. Because of its high watt density, it offers ultra-fast response leading to higher system performance. Watlow’s patented thermal spray technology allows the heater to use its entire surface to produce heat, optimizing heat transfer and temperature uniformity.

ULTRAMIC® Advanced Ceramic Heater

ULTRAMIC® advanced ceramic heaters are designed for clinical applications where electrical safety, small size, fast temperature ramp rates and cleanliness are critical. ULTRAMIC is an ideal match for applications such as clinical diagnostic instrumentation and DNA analysis.

ULTRAMIC’s aluminum nitride (AlN) construction is especially suitable for applications requiring a clean, non-contaminating heat source. Ceramic heaters incorporate a thermally matched proprietary heating element that provides maximum performance in challenging applications. Additionally, the excellent geometric stability ensures consistent part-to-part thermal contact during heating cycles. Watlow AlN ceramic heaters can operate up to 400°C (752°F) with an ultra-fast ramp rate of up to 150°C (270°F) per second depending on the application, heater design and process parameters. In addition to excellent thermal characteristics, ULTRAMIC heaters’ ceramic construction gives them high electrical isolation and typically provides superior chemical resistance as compared to traditional metal heaters.

Polyimide Heaters

Solvent-resistant polyimide is a thin, lightweight organic polymer film that provides excellent tensile strength, tear resistance and dimensional stability. Watlow’s polyimide that require low outgassing in a vacuum or resistance to.

Polyimide is a thin, lightweight organic polymer film which provides excellent tensile strength, tear resistance and dimensional stability, while also being resistant to solvents, radiation, fungus, and chemicals. This makes these heaters ideal for applications requiring low outgassing in a vacuum, or resistance to radiation, such as DNA analysis equipment and clinical diagnostic instrumentation.

Silicone Rubber Heaters

Watlow silicone rubber heaters are rugged, yet thin, lightweight and flexible, allowing them to be incorporated in almost any application or situation, especially where space is limited. Rugged, yet thin, lightweight and flexible, Watlow silicone rubber heaters put heat where it is needed to improve heat transfer, speed warm-ups and decrease wattage requirements. Fiberglass-reinforced silicone rubber provides dimensional stability without sacrificing flexibility.

The silicone rubber heaters are constructed with a wire-wound element or an etched foil element with minimal amount of material separating the element from the part to enable rapid and efficient heat transfer, speeding warm-ups, and decreasing wattage requirements.

FIREROD® Cartridge Heaters

The FIREROD® revolutionized the heating element industry in 1954 when it was patented as the first swaged high density cartridge heater, making Watlow one of the world’s leading cartridge heater suppliers.  The mechanical procedure of swaging reduces the diameter of the heater by compacting the unit; this directly improves the heat transfer and efficiency of the heater. FIREROD cartridge heaters with thermocouples are built using the finest materials and construction methods and are backed with extensive quality assurance programs. With premium materials and tight manufacturing controls, the FIREROD heater provides superior heat transfer, uniform temperatures, resistance to oxidation and corrosion and a long life even at high temperatures. FIREROD is available in a very broad range of sizes and versions including ultra-compact 1/8” mini pencil heater, metric sizes, high temperature and MULTICELL™ insertion heaters for greater heat dispersion.

EZ-ZONE® Integrated Multi-Function Controller

Watlow’s family of EZ-ZONE® integrated multi-function controllers are ideal for use in simple to complex applications, such as DNA processing. They combine temperature, process and machine control, over- and under-temperature limit protection, high amperage power switching, safety disconnects and field communications in a single package.

Offering a variety of modular form factors and display types in place of several components, the EZ-ZONE is convenient and reliable. When data logging, data storage and communications are critical, multi-function controllers provide primary and secondary temperature control with universal inputs, including thermistors. EZ-ZONE temperature controllers can be configured with an agency-approved microprocessor temperature controller and limit in one package. Simple applications requiring one loop of control and one limit loop can be achieved in as small as a 1/16 DIN package size.

SERIES EHG® SL10 Process Controller and Safety Limit

The SERIES EHG® SL 10 process controller and safety limit is a powerful system that integrates a heater with an adjustable set point temperature controller, high/low temperature alert, a power switching device and a high temperature safety limit.

The EHG SL 10 in-line or sub-panel mount temperature controller / limit is an ideal combination for any device requiring thermal management. Its small adjustable or fixed set point, precise temperature control with a built-in agency approved controller / safety limit enables versatility across many applications.

Temperature Sensor Technologies

Typically integrated with a Watlow heater for clinical diagnostic applications, Watlow sensor assemblies deliver fast, accurate and repeatable temperature measurements.

For some medical applications, such as measuring blood or body fluid temperatures, response to small changes in temperature is critical to patient health. Watlow thermal engineers combine deep knowledge of various applications with material science, thermodynamics, electrical properties, and connectivity to develop sensors that exhibit very high temperature accuracy, repeatability and stability are key factors that determine how well an application performs.

Rapid Prototyping

Watlow’s broad product offering, and proven thermal solutions allow the company to leverage its unrivalled experience, expertise, and product platforms to quickly provide prototypes.

Rapid prototyping enables proof of concept testing and design iterations during an OEM manufacturer’s design cycle, allowing them to get product to market faster.

Many Watlow products are available in a standard five days or less with a premium one day expedite with the Watlow Visual Designer™ solution providing an easy starting point for a design.

Resources

Click on Eurotherm controls for Life Sciences to explore Visual Designer tool.
Click on Watlow heaters for Medical, Clinical, & Analytical applications for further information.
Click on Watlow Visual Designer™ to explore solutions.