Wireless data collected directly from patients during normal physical activities could enable the development of better knee implants

March 24, 2007

4 Min Read
Tubing

Originally Published MPMN March 2007

SPOTLIGHT

Tubing

Stainless-steel IV tubes

mpmn0703p26a.jpg

Citric acid passivation using multistage ultrasonic technology is applied to the stainless-steel tubes that a specialty company cuts precisely and without burrs. Suited for IV applications, the cut tubes display the same clean result whether they are coated or uncoated; processing does not damage the outside coating, and the inner diameter remains completely clean. The tubing processed can have thin walls, a small inner diameter, or both, and can be cut at specified angels and in short to long lengths. In addition to stainless steel, all types of metal tubing can be cut and passivated without heat-affected zones and without concentricity being compromised.
Metal Cutting Corp., Cedar Grove, NJ
www.metalcutting.com


Custom plastic tubes

mpmn0703p26b.jpg

An ISO 90001–certified, GMP-compliant extruder of custom plastic tubing for critical applications offers medical device manufacturers complete two-way traceability and can supply product certification with shipments. It manufactures tubing in diameters of 0.058 to 1 in. from a variety of rigid and semirigid materials and custom compounds, including polypropylene, LDPE, HDPE, Pebax, and other plastics. A company specialty is single-lumen tubes with walls as thin as 0.004 in. As a single-source provider of custom extrusion services, the firm can supply coiled and cut-to-length tubing that is extruded and packaged to specification. Coextrusion and various value-added services are available.
Medical Precision Plastics Inc., Warminster, PA
www.dropstirs.com


Paratubing

mpmn0703p26c.jpg

Thermally bonded extruded paratubing whose manufacture involves no solvents is designed to eliminate the possibility of tangling in operating-room (OR) applications and the need for removing chemical solvent residue from the tubes. PEXbond paratubing additionally makes expenditures on solvent or UV bonding assembly operations unnecessary. The various lines in a thermobonded paratube can be distinguished by diameter, color, or striping. While the bonded design enables the physician to hold multiple OR tubing lines in one hand, the tubes can be split apart easily, if required, without leaving residue or ridges.
Filtrona Extrusion Inc./PEXCO Medical Products, Athol, MA
www.filtronaextrusion.com


Fluoropolymer tubing

mpmn0703p26d.jpg

Straight, thin-wall, coiled, corrugated, convoluted, and stainless-steel-overbraided fluoropolymer tubing is stocked to satisfy a variety of fluid-transfer application challenges. The PTFE, FEP, and PFA tubing offers heat and chemical resistance, nonstick properties, and tolerance of extremely cold temperatures. The fairly rigid straight tubing is suitable for transfer and sampling applications. Coiled FEP tubing can be expanded and retracted repeatedly, while corrugated FEP allows a near-zero bend radius. Thin-wall PTFE tubing serves for wire insulation and protective covering. Convoluted PTFE handles higher pressures, especially when overbraided with stainless-steel wire that enables it to accommodate working pressures to 3000 psi.
NewAge Industries Inc., Southampton, PA
www.newageindustries.com


Polyethylene tubing

mpmn0703p27a.jpg

Soft polyethylene tubing for medical device applications features ultralow extractables and meets USP Class VI requirements. The very high clarity of the SFX tubing provides good flow visibility, allowing even clear liquids to be inspected. The tubing is manufactured without the use of plasticizers. It is resistant to a wide range of chemicals. Available in standard sizes up to 3¼8 in. OD, the tubing can be supplied with an inner diameter as large as 1 in.
if requested.
Eldon James Corp., Loveland, CO
www.eldonjames.com


Metal tubes

mpmn0703p27b.jpg

A line of high-grade semifinished products, components, and actuators for medical and industrial applications is offered by an ISO 9001– and ISO 13485:2003–certified specialty custom manufacturer. Besides round wire, flat and profiled wire, sheet materials, and special components, the supplier also provides tubes of nitinol, titanium alloy, cobalt alloy, stainless steel, or specialty alloys that have an oxidized or ground surface. Manufactured according to customer specifications and available with a diverse range of special properties, the tubes can have diameters of 0.13–15.00 mm and a wall thickness of 0.03–1.20 mm. Fabrication lengths to 3000 mm are offered.
Euroflex GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany
www.euroflex-gmbh.de


Custom silicone tubing

mpmn0703p27c.jpg

A cleanroom manufacturer of specialty medical devices designs and produces custom medical-grade silicone tubing and profiles, including microtubing. Single- and multilumen tubes can be extruded to tolerances as close as ±0.005 in.; these and coextrusions can be supplied with a variety of properties and diameters. The company uses specially formulated materials that provide an ultrasmooth tube surface that minimizes surface tension and thus maximizes flow. The FDA-registered and ISO-certified extrusion company can provide a turnkey design and manufacturing service that includes rapid prototyping and low- or high-volume production. It will manufacture products from customer designs.
Axiom Medical, Torrance, CA
www.axiommedical.com


Copyright ©2007 Medical Product Manufacturing News

Sign up for the QMED & MD+DI Daily newsletter.

You May Also Like