Non volatile memory for medical device withstands harsh gamma radiation

Medical devices and life science electronics products need to be radiation proof to remain functional after the heavy gamma radiation, which is one of the effective sterilization process. If you are designing a single-use disposable medical sensors and consumables, you need to use a non floating-gate non volatile memory technologies in semiconductor chips to protect memory data from gamma's high-ionizing radiation which erases the memory. Maxim is offering a new device called DS28E80 NV memory, which is resistant to gamma radiation up to 75kGy (kilo gray). DS28E80 features flexible programming options and it can be connected through a single wire interface, so consumable manufacturers can use single wire/contact. Other advantages and features as shared by Maxim include: Manufacturing calibration: OEMs can automatically detect and calibrate sensors and accessories to ensure quality Usage tracking: guards against incorrect attachment and warns or prevents unsanitary reuse of consumables Embedded identification: embedded 1-Wire protocol provides unalterable 64-bit factory-assigned serial ID which allows for tracking and can prevent usage of unauthorized consumables Reprogrammable: 248 bytes of user memory organized in 8-byte blocks Permanent write protection: flexible per-block options for use memory "By using Gamma, we typically see a reduction in cycle time ...