Category Archives: Ball Screws – Miniature
Motion Control – Case Study – Ball Screws used in Wearable Pumps!
Motion Control – Case Study: Wearable Pumps!
The Next Generation of Intelligent Balloon Catheters Depend on Novel Designs of Ball Screw Driven Pumps
Woburn, MA –Motion Control Components Ball Screws – Case Study –
Situation:
In the realm of cardiovascular assist devices, recent developments have focused on fully implantable pumps. Among the first was HeartMate, quickly followed by Impella and HeartWare. Fully implantable devices are very expensive to develop and produce. Plus they are limited to patients who can tolerate the highly invasive procedure.
A key development in cardiovascular assist devices would be to combine the less-invasive approach of implantable balloons and external pumps with the high portability and reliability of fully implantable systems. This advance would allow the treatment of a much wider range of patients and conditions. A Steinmeyer customer set out to develop an innovative pump to achieve this advance in an intra-aortic system
Challenge:
One of the main technical challenges to this approach is designing a wearable pump that can carefully control the balloon’s pressurization. The pump must meet a demanding combination of performance requirements, including:
- Precise control of pressure
- Reversible pressurization
- Light weight
- Compact size
- Quiet operation
- Continuous performance for at least one year
Meeting these requirements was a significant challenge for their engineers. They built and tested early prototypes using traditional designs such as diaphragm pumps. But this approach required separate chambers for positive and negative pressure. The resulting systems were far too large and heavy. So they were forced to find a new approach.
Results:
Their main innovation was selecting a precision ground ball screw as the drive mechanism and pairing it with a custom engineered metal bellows as the pressure chamber. Ball screws deliver exceptional thrust density while enabling high linear acceleration in both the forward and reverse directions. Surrounded by the bellows, this results in an extremely compact and quiet design. Ball screws are also known for their high efficiency (>90%), smooth operation, and long life. Their efficiency enables the use of small motors and low power consumption, which in turn reduce the size and weight of the entire system.
The engineers turned to Steinmeyer to ensure the smoothest running, highest quality ball screw. And they also knew that Steinmeyer was extremely well-qualified to provide technical support through all stages of development. Their system is meeting all of its design requirements and will soon enter late stage clinical trials.
To Download a PDF of this Case Study Go To – https://ballscrew-tech.com/2017/05/26/wearable-pumps-for-medical-devices-count-on-ball-screws/
Future:
There is an emerging trend in the development of balloon catheters to serve cardiovascular applications. Intelligent balloon catheters may one day be key to innovation. These devices will use flexible sensors and electronics along the catheter for data collection and therapeutics. They will also incorporate balloons to apply mechanical force in the heart and arteries. Ball screw driven pumps will support these future systems as well.
About Steinmeyer
Steinmeyer is the world’s longest continuously-operating manufacturer of commercial ball screws. In the realm of linear motion control, our company has become synonymous with precision, innovation, and exacting standards of quality.
Steinmeyer’s extensive product line is used widely in drive systems for industrial machines as well as precision positioning in optical instruments, medical devices, and other mechatronic applications.
Contact Steinmeyer for further information on their extensive product portfolio:
781-273-6220
Visit Steinmeyer.com
Steinmeyer Ball Screw Resource Center
Other Interesting Case Studies from Steinmeyer:
For the Case Study “Custom Linear Modules for Lithography Masking” CLICK HERE
For the Case Study “Pipetting” CLICK HERE
See this and other Motion Control Ball Screws, Stages, Technology Notes, Custom Components from Steinmeyer featured on:
http://MotionControlBlogger.com
http://motioncontrolBuyersGuide.com
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Motion Control – Case Study: Wearable Pumps Driven by Ball Screws!
Motion Control – Ball Screws are Enabling the Next Generation of Cardiovascular Assist Devices
Woburn, MA –Motion Control Components Ball Screws – Case Study – In this Case Study you will learn how a novel, ball screw driven pump made life-changing, ambulatory therapy possible for cardiovascular patients. Read how mechanical engineers utilized smooth running and quiet miniature ball screws from Steinmeyer to satisfy the demanding requirements of this medical advancement. The challenges included:.
- Precise control of pressure
- Light weight and compact
- Quiet
CLICK HERE To Download CASE STUDY
About Steinmeyer
Steinmeyer is the world’s longest continuously-operating manufacturer of commercial ball screws. In the realm of linear motion control, our company has become synonymous with precision, innovation, and exacting standards of quality.
Steinmeyer’s extensive product line is used widely in drive systems for industrial machines as well as precision positioning in optical instruments, medical devices, and other mechatronic applications. www.steinmeyer.com
For further information on Steinmeyer’s extensive product portfolio, call 1-781-273-6220 or e-mail Bruce Gretz at bruce.gretz@steinmeyer.com or visit Steinmeyer at: www.steinmeyer.com
For other Motion Control Components, Applications, and Technology from Steinmeyer visit the ORIGINAL: http://MotionControlBuyersGuide.com
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Motion Control – Now In Stock – Steinmeyer Miniature Ball Screws!
Motion Control – Miniature Ball Screws

Steinmeyer Stocks a Selection of Miniature Ball Screws for OFF-THE-SHELF Delivery!
Woburn, MA –Motion Control Components –– Steinmeyer announces the expansion of its program that stocks a selection of our German made, miniature ball screws in our US warehouse. Now there’s even more to choose from – and they’re available for immediate shipment!
Obtaining a Steinmeyer miniature ball screw is faster and easier than ever! This program is ideal for engineers needing miniature ball screws for early-stage development of precision machines, instruments and devices.
- Stock consists of diameter selections of 3mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 12mm, with a variety of pitches and lengths.
- Nut designs include threaded, cylindrical, or Flange
We want to make it as easy as possible for engineers to get their hands on a Steinmeyer miniature ball screw. Once you feel the quality and workmanship, we are confident that you will be customers for a long time!
See our catalog for extensive information on the wide range of options available by special order: Miniature Ball Screw Catalog
About Steinmeyer
Steinmeyer is the world’s longest continuously-operating manufacturer of commercial ball screws. In the realm of linear motion control, our company has become synonymous with precision, innovation, and exacting standards of quality.
Steinmeyer’s extensive product line is used widely in drive systems for industrial machines as well as precision positioning in optical instruments, medical devices, and other mechatronic applications. www.steinmeyer.com
For further information on Steinmeyer’s extensive product portfolio, call 1-781-273-6220 or visit Steinmeyer at: www.steinmeyer.com
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Motion Control Components – Now In Stock – Steinmeyer Miniature Ball Screws!
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Steinmeyer Stocks a Selection of Miniature Ball Screws for OFF-THE-SHELF Delivery!
BURLINGTON, MA –Motion Control Components – Steinmeyer, the German-based maker of precision ball screws, announces a new program to stock a selection of miniature ball screws. The samples are available now for immediate shipment. The program involves stocking a selection of catalog designs that are mainly intended for use as prototypes for new customers. It is ideal for engineers needing miniature ball screws for early-stage development of precision machines, instruments and devices. Stock consists of diameter selections of 3mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 12mm, with a variety of pitches and lengths. Nut designs include threaded or cylindrical.
The miniature ball screw program includes the option to pay by credit card to enable engineers to purchase the samples with minimal effort. Said Bruce Gretz, Executive Vice President of Steinmeyer, Inc., “We want to make it as easy as possible for engineers to get their hands on a Steinmeyer miniature ball screw. Once they feel the quality and workmanship, we are confident that they will be customers for a long time.”
Please contact Steinmeyer for a complete inventory list by calling 781-273-6220, or email your request to bruce.gretz@steinmeyer.com. View Steinmeyer’s Miniature Ball Screw Catalog for extensive information on the wide range of options available by special order.
About Steinmeyer
Steinmeyer is the world’s longest continuously-operating manufacturer of commercial ball screws. In the realm of linear motion control, our company has become synonymous with precision, innovation, and exacting standards of quality.
Steinmeyer’s extensive product line is used widely in drive systems for industrial machines as well as precision positioning in optical instruments, medical devices, and other mechatronic applications. www.steinmeyer.com
For further information on Steinmeyer our extensive product portfolio, call 1-781-273-6220 or e-mail Rosmary Belt at rosmary.belt@steinmeyer.com or visit the Steinmeyer FMD group at: www.steinmeyer.com
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