Ah! So you probably don't have to design devices that can be built for a couple of bucks. I have done designs for both military and commercial applications. They are vastly different worlds. In one case we strive for performance. In the other case we wonder how cheap can we make it and still have it work. In this day and age, volume sales usually go to the cheapest products.
Jeff
Hello Jeff,
Actually, I do have to. The BOM budget for a pulser stage is usually about that. Ultrasound machines often hold 64 or more of these so it adds up. Then there is reimbursement by Medicare and programs like that in other countries, also HMOs and other healthcare organizations. These rates are often pretty slims. The days when "anything goes" are over for medical with very few exceptions. Japan, for example, often has pretty cushy reimbursement rates but that might also not last for too long.
Then when you design a system for the veterinary market you really have to turn every FET around, to see if it can be done with a BJT for five pennies less per stage.
Other than defense that's probably true for most markets, including medical. At least if you design for the long run and not for a cutting edge research solution.
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