Smart Molding International 1-2021

47 www.smart-molding.com molders provement process, Nonin wanted to raise the bar for validation of the new tool. DPI delivered with an advanced validation protocol. Before the molds were made the teams reviewed the tool design. Once the tool was com - plete, prototypes were developed, and the first article inspection was success - fully completed. “Just as we were getting close to going into production, COVID-19 hap - pened,” explains Finberg. “That’s when Onyx product sales rapidly accelerated. Fortunately, we were already working with DPI to manufacture, decorate and assemble components of the Onyx fin - gertip pulse oximeters.” Silent Hypoxia An early warning symptom of COVID-19, silent hypoxia, is a condi - tion in which oxygen levels in the tis - sue have dropped, but the individual has no signs that something is wrong. A pulse oximeter, or pulse ox, identifies patients with silent hypoxia, alerting physicians early that treatment may be indicated. Early treatment can keep COVID-19 patients off ventilators—and alive. Common and as simple to use as a thermometer, a pulse oximeter is an electronic device that measures pulse rate and the saturation level of oxygen carried in red blood cells. Meeting Increased Demand “When we started the review pro - cess, we couldn’t have imagined that demand for the product would in - crease as much as it has. This sales growth was a result of the product’s ability to help diagnose and monitor silent hypoxia in COVID-19 patients, and of our effective marketing strat - egy,” says Finberg. “The team at DPI was able to quickly assess the surge in volume and develop a plan, including additional tooling, to increase capacity. DPI has done an amazing job meeting our needs for increased production, and DPI was in the right place at the right time. Everything is going well.” Nonin’s marketing strategy regarding COVID-19, called All Together Now, is focused on serving the health care in - dustry through education, recognition and thought leadership. Press coverage at NPR, in the Star Tribune, New York Times, CBS Morning Show, at Kare11 and others, generated as part of the campaign, contributed to the compa - ny’s recent success. DPI is manufacturing everything that is plastic on the Onyx fingertip pulse oximeters, including the exte - rior or enclosure and the soft touch material that holds the finger. Some of the parts being manufactured re - quire complex overmolding of differ - ent materials, which is one of DPI’s proficiencies. DPI also manages direct sourcing of lens components with one of Nonin’s other vendors. Additionally, the manufacturer is sourcing product decorating and completing some of the assembly. Once completed, the parts go back to Nonin to add the electronics, finish the assembly, and packaging. A second wave of COVID- 19 is anticipated in late fall or early winter. As a result, demand will con - tinue globally for Nonin’s pulse oxi - meters. To maximize capacity, DPI is investing in additional presses. Diversified Plastics www.divplast.com Diversified Plastics is a full-service custom injection molder for the fil - tration, electronics, medical, automo - tive, industrial, consumer and OEM markets. The company focuses on providing the highest level of qual - ity and service for close-tolerance, small- to medium-sized injection molded components. A single source for molded plastic parts, Diversi - fied Plastics offers assemblies and provides design assistance, mold construction, intricate molding to component assembly and 100 per - cent on-time delivery. Diversified Plastics, Inc. established in 1977 and headquartered inMinneapolis, is ISO 9001:2000 certified. Diversified Plastics Assembly Department (All pictures: Diversified Plastics) Nonin Medical’s Onyx® Fingertip Pulse Oximeter