Risk of Tin Whiskers in Medical Devices

Abstract

The reliability problem of tin whiskers in lead-free electronics has been studied for the past several decades. However, due to tin whiskers have not received sufficient attention and require further study especially because more lead-free products are being implemented in advanced medical equipment such as surgical instruments, medical implants, and life-sustaining devices. In an effort to raise awareness among the medical community about the risks of tin whiskers, this paper presents a brief introduction to tin whiskers, followed by the cases reported to date on whiskers in medical devices. Recommendations for mitigation practices are then presented.