On Surface TreatmentOn Surface Treatment
March 7, 2005
Originally Published MPMN March 2005
SPOTLIGHT
On Surface Treatment
Drug-eluting coatings
A company offers six separate coatings for site-specific drug delivery, including two biodegradable options. Therapeutic or antimicrobial agents can be released from the matrices at a controlled rate. This allows for the delivery of drugs directly to the area surrounding the medical device or the targeted tissue, eliminating potential problems related with systemic delivery. The coating matrices deliver a variety of pharmaceutical agents and can be customized to deliver drugs for durations ranging from minutes to months. SurModics Inc., Eden Prairie, MN www.surmodics.com
Surface-treatment services
A manufacturer of semifinished and finished metal products has added surface treatment services. Electropolishing, acid etching, and titanium anodizing are available. Part sizes and tolerances are guaranteed within the micromillimeter range.
Cendres & Métaux SA, Biel-Bienne, Switzerland www.cmsa.ch/medical
Parts-cleaning system
A basket washer is used for surface treatment and cleaning. The LeanClean 360 parts-cleaning system incorporates automated, variable-speed wash, rinse, and dry cycles, and processes up to 10 standard or 20 small baskets per hour. The 5 ¥ 3-ft unit can be used in small spaces. Components are completely immersed with high-pressure submerged turbulation and high-volume spray during the wash and rinse cycles. Cleaning cycles use either full rotation of baskets or variable-speed, multidirectional rocking from 5° to 60° on each side of the basket centerline. Optional 1000-W piezoelectric resonating tubular transducers are available in 25 or 40 kHz. Jensen Fabricating Engineers, Berlin, CT www.jenfab.com
Air plasma surface treater
An air plasma surface treater can be used on three-dimensional objects, areas of two-dimensional plastics, and other materials without requiring a grounding element. The Dyne-A-Mite HP surface treater works on extruded, pultruded, molded, and formed materials. Plastics such as PET, PVC, TPU, vinyl, and polystyrene can be treated with the unit. The front-panel control features start and stop buttons. Terminals are available for remote operation. External interlock capabilities and a heavy-duty blower are also included. Enercon Industries Corp., Menomonee Falls, WI www.enerconind.com
Corona treating system
Corona treatment can maximize the adhesion capabilities of a variety of plastic substrates. The TubeDyne corona treating system is a compact, self-contained tabletop unit. It includes an integrated generator, transformer, electrode assembly, and ozone filter. Mainly used to coat the ends of medical tubing, the system is preset to automatically coat the tubes. Various diameters of tubing can be treated with the same setup. 3DT LLC, Germantown, WI www.3dtllc.com
Laser surface texturing
Laser surface texturing can increase a part’s surface area for better adhesion or improved tribological response. A focused laser beam is used to produce a variety of features, ranging from pillars to blind holes. Features as small as 5 µm can be directly laser micromachined into part surfaces, or can be machined into a mold used to create the part. No masking of adjacent areas is required. All machining information is directly imported from CAD files. Mound Laser & Photonics Center Inc., Miamisburg, OH www.mlpc.com
Particle extraction system
Part cleanliness is monitored and qualified using a particle extraction system. The Surfex-100 is an integrated testing station designed to measure particle levels on complex medical devices. The unit checks the cleanliness of the exterior and/or interior surfaces. The system features ultrasonic extraction, particle measurement, high-purity fluidics, and automated software control. A variety of particle counter sensitivities and ultrasonic frequencies are available. Particle Measuring Systems, Boulder, CO www.pmeasuring.com
Coated device shafts
Hypotube-based device shafts used in minimally invasive procedures are available with a range of surface treatments. Options include PTFE coating, polymer overjacketing, and heat-shrink jacketing. The surface treatment technology is offered to customers as part of a complete delivery device solution. Creganna Medical Devices, Galway, Ireland www.creganna.com
Abrasive fiber brushes
Molded plastics can be deburred using abrasive fiber brushes. The Bradex brushes are filaments of heat-stabilized nylon that has been coextruded with an abrasive grit. The grit is embedded throughout the filament, as well as being exposed on the external surfaces. As the filament wears, new abrasive grit is uncovered. Abrasive action occurs on both the tip and sides of the filament. As the fiber strikes and wipes against the product’s surface, the flexible fibers break the edges. The fibers are embedded in a resin body to increase the brush’s durability. Abtex Corp., Dresdan, NY www.abtex.com
Copyright ©2005 Medical Product Manufacturing News
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