ISO 13485:2016
DEVICE DEVELOPMENT

CES Survival Guide

Nectar Product Development kicks off the year with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES)! This trade show is notorious for being a grind. In 2017, the expo attracted over 72,000 industry attendees and more than 2,000 exhibitors. As technology enthusiasts take over Las Vegas for CES 2018, attendees may be overwhelmed by trying to navigate an expo which like Vegas, doesn’t sleep. Wired released these tips on how to survive and conquer CES this year:

Do:

  • Explore all the Sands Expo! Find cutting edge technology.
  • If you are flying into Las Vegas, only bring carry-on luggage so you can avoid a long wait after landing at McCarran International Airport.
  • Double the amount of business cards you think you will need to bring.
  • Wear comfortable shoes.
  • Carry batteries and power cords with you.
  • Bring water and snacks with you.
  • Walk and use public transportation.
    • The RTC’s Deuce and Strip & Downtown Express (DTX) buses offer frequent service along the Strip and up to downtown, which connect to four airport routes. A two-hour pass costs $6, a 24-hour pass is $8.
    • The free monorails and trams  connect individual casinos on the west side of the Strip: Treasure Island to the Mirage, the Bellagio to Monte Carlo to Crystals, and Excalibur to Luxor to Mandalay Bay.

Don’t:

  • Spend all your time at the big brand-name booths. There are amazing things to see at the companies you’ve never heard of.
  • Ride a hoverboard.
  • Sign anything.
  • Pick your nose.
  • Gamble at CES.
  • Call exhibitors “booth babes.”

CES Takes Over Las Vegas

Most of CES fills the three enormous halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The North Hall hosts automotive and wireless gadgetry, the Central Hall holds most of the mainline electronics manufacturers, and the South Hall’s upper and lower levels feature drones, VR, and phone accessories.

Surrounding Casinos, hotels, and bars will also be hosting CES networking events and mixers. The Venetian Suites will host the high-end audio tech. Although many events are invite only, there are many to attend. See the full list at CES Party List.

For a detailed breakdown of CES see The Cheat Sheet prepared by CES organizers, the Consumer Technology Association.

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Nectar is an award-winning design & engineering consultancy with a specialization in medical device development. We are proudly 13485 certified, we adhere to the highest industry standards. Nectar has been an industry leader in Southern California for over 25 years. Our proven user-centered design process has facilitated the successful launch of hundreds of products in the market.
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We are an ISO 13485-certified design and engineering firm based in Southern California, specializing in the development of cutting-edge medical devices.

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Darren is an accomplished, dynamic leader who founded Nectar, X-Naut, and BreathDirect. He is committed to improving the world through the synthesis of technology, science, and art. Under Darren’s leadership, Nectar is leveraging the latest advances in cutting-edge technology to transform medical device development and design. As part of his

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Dr. Steve Wells holds a critical role in steering Nectar’s operations and defining its strategic direction. His impactful leadership has established a clear course for the company’s success. He has revitalized the company with a passion for maximizing impact through expert resource utilization since taking the helm in 2020. Steve has boosted Nectar’s portfolio, streamlined processes, and reinvigorated its innovation agenda, all with the goal of developing life-saving and impactful products. His background in senior leadership roles at Georg Fischer and his people-focused, results-driven leadership style make him an invaluable asset to our team. Steve’s extensive knowledge in chemistry, biocompatibility, and biology only adds to his value as a team member.

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John Duval

Principal Engineer

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Aaron Gifford

Principal Engineer

With a wealth of experience as a medical device developer, Aaron is a valuable addition to the Nectar team. His expertise in transferring medical devices and IVD instruments to production is unmatched, and his 25 years of professional engineering experience speaks to his expertise. At Nectar, Aaron plays a crucial role in ensuring regulatory compliance throughout product development and manages projects with skill and precision. His recent leadership in the development of the critical care Covid EUA BDR-19™ ventilator is a testament to his abilities, and his 13 patents in the medical device space further highlight his contributions to the field.
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Larry Larson

Director of Hardware and Firmware Engineering 

Larry Larson is a highly experienced engineering professional who has served as Nectar’s Director of Engineering for several years. He has extensive experience in leading, overseeing, and managing the design and development of innovative products, and has been involved in 70 unique product design cycles to date. With a deep understanding of highly regulated industries such as medical and aerospace devices, Larry has been instrumental in bringing cutting-edge technologies to market and delivering solutions that meet the needs of his clients. He has a passion for engineering and is dedicated to advancing the field by delivering products that are safe, effective, and of the highest quality.
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Adam Marten

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Adam Marten has worked in the aerospace and consumer products industries since 2006 with lead engineering experience in conceptual design, product development, analysis and performance qualification testing. Adam has experience leading a range of technical projects, including multiple structural analyses for military and aerospace applications. He has also worked directly with engineering teams to develop medical devices and laboratory instrumentation.

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James Wilkin

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Kerry Eiss

Clinical Expert - RN, BSN, CLNC

With over two decades of experience in healthcare innovation, Kerry has been instrumental in transforming patient care and improving patient outcomes across the globe. Her extensive knowledge and expertise in the cardiovascular and cardiothoracic operating room, as well as her experience in emergency medicine, geriatrics, pediatric psychiatry, and main OR, make her a versatile and valuable member of the team. From small hospitals to large teaching institutions, Kerry’s 20 years of experience with patient documentation, including the use of EPIC, Cerner, and Meditech electronic charting systems, have positioned her as a leader in her field. Her recent involvement in helping transition the Providence St. Vincent Medical Center’s Cardiac Surgery program from paper charting to electronic documentation further underscores her commitment to advancing the healthcare industry.

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Marketing Manager

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Brayton Hammerli

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Brayton is a multi-disciplinary designer with a A.A in Studio Arts and a B.S in Industrial Design from California State University Long Beach. As a user experience designer, Brayton specializes in usability evaluations, user research, feedback studies, GUI design, mobile app design, human factors evaluations, and formative studies. In his free time, Brayton enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking as well as other creative pursuits. He approaches problems with a solution-focused mindset and enjoys exploring ideas. 
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Stephanie Rodriguez

Accounting Coordinator

Stephanie Rodriguez is a highly experienced administrative professional with over 10 years of expertise across a diverse range of industries, including contract manufacturing, financial and wealth management, and the medical field. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities from Northern Arizona University. As a valued member of the Nectar team, Stephanie plays an integral role in supporting the engineering teams by acquiring materials and parts for the prototype phase of our clients’ projects. She also assists the Director of Accounting by issuing purchase orders and provides project managers with accurate data to effectively manage and track budgets for each stage of the statement of work. Stephanie’s knowledge and skills, combined with her dedication and drive, make her an asset to Nectar and a key player in ensuring the successful completion of our projects.
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Toska Ukaj

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Sean Wells

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Jonathan Cantera

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Jonathan at his core is a Human Factors Engineer with his M.S. in Human Factors and Minor in Sociology from California State University of Long Beach. At Nectar, Jonathan is responsible for managing and maintaining the company’s ISO 13485 Quality Management System keeping in compliance with US and international regulations for product development. Jonathan’s role ensures each department is in compliance every step of the design process, making him a critical Nectar team member. Jonathan’s Human Factors background also allows him to aid in user research, feedback sessions, usability evaluations, and formative studies such as risks assessments. When he’s not in the office, Jonathan enjoys film photography, and reading.

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