Interplex's off-the-shelf medical-grade circular interconnect products

Dec 06, 2023

Interplex has announced an innovation that’s set to cause a major shake-up in the medical hardware market. The company’s new Interplex Sureline series will mean that OEMs no longer must engage with suppliers to create a custom connector/cable assembly for their latest equipment models. Instead, they will have access to ready-to-use overmolded products that are far more cost-effective and convenient to implement. 

Available directly off-the-shelf, the Interplex Sureline medical-grade circular interconnect products are fully compatible with the widely used REDEL P1 and P2 connector format. They are available in 14-pole (Plex 1) 34-pole (Plex 2) versions. Customers can stipulate to have the same connector on both ends of the cable or opt for a connector at one end and bare wires at the other. Cable lengths of 3ft (0.9m), 6ft (1.8m) and 10ft (3.05m) may be chosen from. These interconnects leverage the company’s patented Sureflex overmold technology, which means that industry-leading strain relief is assured.

The specially designed ergonomic external profile of the connector element means that users will naturally place it in the correct orientation during mating (supplementing the keyway/polarization mechanism incorporated into their construction). As a result, not only does this mean that mating can be conducted quicker (which is advantageous in emergency situations), but also the wear-and-tear that mis-mating attempts would otherwise cause is eliminated (thus extending operational lifespan).

Manufactured in line with IPC/WHMA-A-620 Class II standards, Interplex Sureline interconnect products are able to cope with challenging conditions. They have a 1,500 mating cycle durability, strong contact retention and the ability to withstand high temperatures (up to 150°C, with non-standard material options capable of handling 170°C). Furthermore, the IP50 rating of these interconnects protects them against the ingress of liquid sprays that can regularly occur in demanding clinical environments.