Flexible Circuit Technologies: Enabling the Next Generation of Wearable Devices
Wearable technology has moved far beyond its early days as a standalone category. Today, wearable applications are deeply integrated across consumer electronics, medical devices, industrial equipment, and beyond — driving continued rapid growth as products become smaller, lighter, more comfortable, and more capable.
At the Forefront of the Wearable Medical Device Evolution
Flexible Circuit Technologies (FCT) has been at the forefront of this evolution for nearly two decades. The company’s involvement began in 2006 with a pioneering medical project: an electronic chest-worn patch designed to monitor a patient’s heart. FCT provided complete support from flexible circuit design and prototyping through full assembly and turnkey box builds, helping bring the product successfully to market.
Breakthrough Improvements that Produce Reliably Solutions for Extreme Conditions
That early success opened the door to a wave of wearable innovations. In 2012, FCT was brought in to rescue a high-profile project for a leading athletic wear company. Tasked with developing the first major activity tracker, a wrist-worn band, the original flexible circuit supplier could not meet the demanding performance requirements. After a thorough design review, FCT’s engineering team developed breakthrough improvements that enabled the circuit to perform reliably under extreme conditions. The result was one of the most successful wearable product launches of its time. FCT became the sole source supplier, supporting everything from design optimization and prototyping to high-volume production.
High-performance Solutions for Demanding Environments
From head-worn sensors to toe-worn devices and everything in between, FCT has delivered flexible circuits and assemblies for a wide range of challenging wearable applications. Its deep expertise in design, combined with proven manufacturing capabilities, allows customers to achieve cost-effective, high-performance solutions that thrive in the demanding environments wearables require, including repeated flexing, moisture exposure, and tight space constraints.