External Cardiac Defibrillator Technology

For AED design engineers, reliability of their life-saving devices is the top priority. Connectors play an important role in reliable product performance — they must protect against terminal damage during handling and mating processes while also reducing the likelihood of short circuits caused by debris infiltration. Molex connectors are engineered to address these critical concerns through robust positive latching mechanisms and fully isolated connector terminals.

Power systems in AEDs must be highly efficient to ensure optimal use of energy, maximizing the number of shocks that can be delivered on a single charge. Engineers are tasked with minimizing power losses and optimizing energy transfer to support reliable power delivery in emergency situations. Molex enhances the efficiency of these power systems with connectors that offer high-current capacity and robust locks for secure mating, all in a compact package. 

To support critical AED functionality for advanced monitoring and efficient data transfer, designers must incorporate robust and reliable connections. Molex connectors are designed with positive locking, keying and polarization features that help prevent mis-mating during the assembly process.

The user interface (UI) of an AED device must support ease of use and withstand potentially harsh environmental conditions. At the same time, UI components need to provide design flexibility and optimize space. To meet these requirements, Molex offers innovative and durable UI solutions available in a broad range of configurations — including 2 to 42 circuits, single or dual row and vertical or horizontal plugs.

AEDs are designed to be portable and lightweight for easy transport and use in various settings. To meet portability requirements, design engineers need connectors that occupy minimal space, contributing to a more compact device. Molex offers a variety of miniaturized connectivity solutions, including the world’s smallest board-to-board connector, which are ideally suited for space-constrained devices like AEDs.

Communication and memory functions are vital aspects of AEDs for capturing, transmitting and storing shock data and timestamps following usage. Enabling rapid and reliable data transmission to healthcare providers requires connectivity solutions with strong signal integrity to help prevent data corruption, error or loss. Molex 5G and memory card connectors support data transfer, compatibility and reliability requirements for AEDs with full EMI shielding for exceptional signal integrity.