The invention of ultra-thin copper alloy wires for advanced medical applicationssuper fine copper alloy wire for advanced medical equipments has been awarded the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Invention, as well as the Distinguished Invention Service Award, at the 2009 National Commendation for Invention sponsored by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.

The National Commendation for Invention, started in 1919 with the first Imperial Commendation for Invention, is intended to recognize individuals who successfully develop outstanding inventions; work to implement such inventions; or contribute to the leadership, promotion, or development of such inventions. The purpose of these awards is to advance science and technology in Japan and to support and nurture innovation that promotes industry. The awards bestowed on this invention are attributable to high regard for its role in advancing the state of the art within the electronics industry.

The award ceremony was held July 29, 2009, at Hotel Okura, with their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi in attendance.

A scene from the 2009 National Commendation for Invention award ceremony

Invention of super fine copper alloy wire for advanced medical equipments

The invention of super fine copper alloy wire for advanced medical equipments recognized by this Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Invention has led to the commercial availability of extraordinarily thin copper alloy wires essential for applications such as probe cables used in state-of-the-art ultrasound diagnostics devices. By optimizing the ratios of copper, tin, and indium in the wires, the inventors gave the ultra-thinsuper fine copper alloy wires (16 µm in diameter) the flexibility needed to withstand repeated bending, as well as the high electrical performance needed to transmit large data volumes.

~NN Alloy Wires to support the electronics industry~ NN Alloy Wires are used in a wide array of fields.

[Medical fields] Probe cables for use in ultrasound diagnostic equipment     [Information and telecommunications fields] Micro coaxial cables for use in digital devices     [Machining field] Electric discharge machining wire   [Reference: Advanced product under development] A human hair and a copper alloy wire measuring 10 µm in diameter

News Release : May 15, 2009

Invention of super fine copper alloy wire for advanced medical equipments recognized by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science Award for Invention and by the Distinguished Invention Service Award, at the 2009 National Commendation for Invention