NeuroStone^TM, 3D-printed small
free-form inter-connected ceramic devices
that provide freedom in the design of
electronic equipment for medical applications. NeuroStone^TM is a small free-form inter-connected ceramic devices created using a 3D printer.
It revolutionizes circuit boards by moving from conventional, restricted flat-surface wiring to
three-dimensional wiring with a high degree of freedom.

Description

Collaboration partners who will aim together with us to make healthcare and medical careless invasive by utilizing small free-form interconnected ceramic device.
Products used

NeuroStone^TM, 3D-printed small free-form inter-connected ceramic devices are customized for small ceramic circuits ranging in size from 1 to 5 mm.
*This product is under development.Therefore, the product specifications are subject to change without advance notice.

MATCHING
POINT

Medical and industrial equipment manufacturers wanting to downsize their equipment

NeuroStone^TM, a small free-form inter-connected ceramic device, is manufactured using unique Murata's patented 3D printing technology. Compared to conventional PCBs, FPCs, smaller 3D printed ceramic device can be fabricated more freely into three-dimensional custom shapes. This flexibility allows other functional components to be optimally positioned within the device to make it more compact and highly efficient. We are seeking collaboration partners to join us in creating next-gen medical devices that are less invasive using this innovative NeuroStone^TM.

Contents

What is NeuroStone^TM?
Heterogenous material integrated 3D-printing technology that can only be warranted by a long-established ceramic electronic component manufacturer
Benefits of NeuroStone^TM using
NeuroStone^TM utilization examples
Message from the developers

What is NeuroStone^TM?

We coined the name NeuroStone^TM by combining "neuron" (nerve cells in the brain) and "stone" (ceramics). At Murata, we have traditionally referred to ceramics as "wonder stones."
The idea for this product came from using these wonder stones to create a circuit board resembling a neural network in the brain, which is ideal natural prototype.
Murata's proprietary 3D printing technology allows us to print in any shape, enabling three-dimensional multi-directional internal wiring. We can create uneven surfaces and cavities with high packing density of electrodes inside the module, allowing you to miniaturize and enhance the functionality of equipment design by optimal arrangement other components.
Additionally, NeuroStone^TM has high dissipation performance thanks to its metal wiring and heat insulation properties provided by its ceramics. This ensures temperature control to prevent harm to the body.
This combination of characteristics can help reduce the size and increase the functionality of industrial equipment, as well as make medical equipment less invasive.

NeuroStone^TM and competing technologies

Please flick to see

	NeuroStone^TM	PCB	FPC	Ceramic circuit board	MID
Degree of freedom - free-form	Excellent Fully 3D design *1	Poor	Average	Average	Good
Heat resistance	Good 300°C/572°F > *2	Average	Average	Excellent	Average
Degree of freedom in wiring thickness (=Heat dissipation)	Excellent About 0.2 mm *3	Excellent	Poor	Good	Poor
Size range of circuit board that can be manufactured	Average	Good	Good	Average	Excellent

NeuroStone^TM Advantages

*1 : Expansive form flexibility enables full 3D design.
*2 : NeuroStone^TM is fabricated by co-firing at just under 1,000°C/1,830°F, giving it heat resistance up to over 300°C/572°F
*3 : Wiring can be printed to a metal thickness of approximately 0.2 mm, providing excellent heat dissipation, electrode packing density and multi-directional interconnect freedom

Heterogenous material integrated 3D-printing technology that can only be warranted by a long-established ceramic electronic component manufacturer

Freely printed from three different materials

NeuroStone^TM manufacturing process

1. The 3D-printed small free-form inter-connected ceramic devices are fabricated from three distinct materials: ceramics, conductive metal, and a support material for forming cavities.
2. These materials are layered to achieve the desired shape.
3. During the co-firing process, the support materials used to create the cavities are burned off, leaving behind the printed ceramics and metals. This results in a three-dimensional free-form ceramics and metal electrodes inside and outside.

Murata's proprietary know-how is effectively used in the process from material development to cofiring.

We developed NeuroStone^TM by accumulating a wide range of technological innovations, including next-gen 3D printer-suitable ink development and firing control.
For instance, if materials are simply mixed together, the ink will settle and separate, making it unsuitable for 3D printing. Therefore, it is essential to skillfully mix the materials to create stable ink formula.
Additionally, co-firing different types of materials together during fabrication is challenging. Different materials exhibit varying shrinkage behaviors during cofiring. If only one material shrinks, stress occurs between the heterogeneous materials, potentially causing them to break. It is crucial to control the co-firing temperature and the gas in the firing furnace to ensure the materials join together without breaking.
Murata has cultivated expertise in material development and firing after years of research and testing. The expertise has enabled us to overcome ink and firing challenges to develop NeuroStone^TM that meet the high reliability requirements of medical devices.

Benefits of NeuroStone^TM using

Feature01Downsize and increase functionality and reliability of equipment by optimal placement of components

1. Downsizing Equipment:

You can now custom design components to fit in the free space of your equipment. This design flexibility provides you the ability to maximize the space requirements and ultimately leads to a downsizing of your equipment and miniaturizing your devices.

2.Incorporating Three-Dimensional Internal Wiring:

Unlike conventional flat circuits (PCBs, FPCs), it is now possible to design wiring three-dimensionally in multiple directions. This allows for efficient wiring connections and the adjustment of the number and position of components, leading to the creation of more functional equipment.

3.Designing Unevenness and Cavities:

By designing ridges and cavities inside NeuroStone^TM, LEDs, sensors, and other equipment can be installed in internal hollow channels. Flow path printing for fluids is also possible.
Sensors can be positioned and oriented for easy sensing, enabling higher precision sensing.

With the above benefits, NeuroStone^TM can improve reliability and facilitate the development of the next generation device beyond the role of a simple circuit board.

Feature02Possesses both high heat resistance and heat dissipation

Using various functional components on a circuit to enhance functionality can lead to increased electricity flow, which in turn generates more heat.
If components produce heat, they could potentially harm the body. Thus, temperature control is crucial.
NeuroStone^TM offers excellent heat dissipation due to its metal wiring and effective heat insulation provided by its ceramics. This allows it to channel heat along an optimal path, preventing harm to the body. Additionally, it is fired at nearly 1,000°C/1,830°F, giving it high heat resistance.

Feature03Contributing to making medical care minimally invasive

We anticipate that NeuroStone^TM will be particularly valuable to medical and industrial equipment manufacturers looking to reduce the size of their devices. Our small free-form inter-connected ceramic 3D printing technology allows for the production of small circuit boards measuring just a few millimeters. For example, we envision NeuroStone^TM being used at the tips of endoscopes, different electric catheters, and other medical instruments. It is crucial to accurately integrate various electronic components into these compact devices that are inserted into the body. With NeuroStone^TM, each component can be optimally arranged, enabling equipment downsizing. This innovation facilitates the development of devices that impose less strain on the body, ultimately contributing to a less invasive medical care solution.

NeuroStone^TM utilization examples

Utilization example01Endoscopes

Optimal component placement makes endoscopes smaller and less invasive

Comparison diagram of a conventional endoscope and an endoscope with NeuroStone^TM It is possible to make any shape, and place the lighting and other functions in even more optimal places

Endoscopes inserted into the body require various electronic components housed within a thin tube. It is crucial to align the LED light with the camera for effective illumination. Traditional methods of bending film-like boards often fail to achieve this precision.
However, NeuroStone^TM devices can be 3D printed into unique shapes. By utilizing a U-shaped NeuroStone^TM, we can precisely position components in smaller devices, enabling endoscopes that efficiently illuminate internal structures of the body.

Utilization example02Catheters

Improve functionality by tilting the sensor in a specific direction

Electric catheters inserted into blood vessels are quite small, measuring about 1 mm in diameter. This necessitates positioning the sensor at a specific angle inside the device. Traditional methods of combining printed circuit boards with resin components often struggle to achieve this precise angle. In contrast, NeuroStone^TM allows us to mold the ideal angle for optimal sensing in advance, making it easier to integrate the sensor. This approach maximizes the functionality of the sensor and enhances the precision of medical equipment.

Inquiries

Murata seeks partners to help use and commercialize NeuroStone^TM for developing circuit that enable equipment downsizing and embracing invasive medical care.
Please reach out via our contact form, when you have any questions or your company is interested in collaborating with us.
*This product is under development.Therefore, the product specifications are subject to change without advance notice.

Message from the developers

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. NeuroStone^TM Development Unit Takumi Okashiro: NeuroStone^TM is a distinctive product exclusively developed by Murata, leveraging our expertise in ceramic electronic components. We believe that NeuroStone^TM will lead to technological innovations that will reduce the size and increase the functionality and reliability of your products.
Currently, this product is still in development, and we face several challenges before bringing it to market. However, we are excited to collaborate with partners who can help us overcome these obstacles and achieve innovation together.

Inquiries

NeuroStone^TM is a 3D-printed, free-form inter-connected ceramic circuit board that enables freely three-dimensional internal wiring, thanks to Murata' s expertise in material development and co-firing. We are seeking partners to collaborate with us in leveraging this small free-form inter-connected ceramic 3D printing technology to create products that contribute to equipment downsizing and less invasive medical care.
*This product is under development.Therefore, the product specifications are subject to change without advance notice.