Products and Services 16530

Diamond-Like-Carbon Biocompatible Coatings
Suited for such medical implantable applications as left-ventricular-assist-device (LVAD) heart pumps and artificial joints, the Diamonex range of diamond-like-carbon (DLC) biocompatible coatings exhibit good adhesion and wear resistance. Made by Morgan Technical Ceramics, the precision coatings provide a superhard low-friction surface with properties approaching those of natural diamond. The low coefficient of friction, ranging between 0.03 and 0.25, increases device mechanical efficiency at startup and during operation as well. In addition, the DLC coatings feature a high hardness of 15 to 30 GPa, which prevents fretting and galling while enhancing durability. They can be applied to both flat surfaces and 3-D parts via direct-ion-beam or radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition techniques. Smooth and highly conformal, the coatings typically are applied in a thickness ranging from 2 to 5 µm.
Morgan Technical Ceramics
FAIRFIELD, NJ

Diaphragm Valve for Fluid Dispensing
Manually controlled dispensing systems from Dymax Corp. feature the normally closed, handheld Model 200 diaphragm valve to facilitate accurate dispensing. Constructed from materials that are compatible with a variety of low- to medium-viscosity fluids such as light-curable adhesives, epoxy resins, cyanoacrylates, and activator-cured adhesives, the diaphragm valve is ergonomically designed with a lightweight wand-style body. It is engineered to provide precision regulation of fluid dispenses throughout a long service life. Suited for dot, bead, and potting applications, the manufacturer's turnkey dispensing systems employ light-blocking polyethylene tubing with either a 3/8 in. OD for maximum flow or a ¼ in. OD for flexibility and easy handling. They also have an air filter regulator with an integrated shutoff valve and pressure exhaust to quickly and safely depressurize the system without operator intervention. Versions can be supplied with a variety of pressure vessels.
Dymax Corp.
TORRINGTON, CT

Braided Sutures
Teleflex Medical OEM now supplies its Force Fiber line of high-performance suturing materials for the orthopedics market in an expanded array of sizes, colors, and patterns. The company combines ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene yarn with a proprietary braid design to yield a strong, durable, pliable, and lubricious suture that is nonabrasive. Marketed to OEMs in custom-configured solids and braids, the extended line includes additional USP sizes of 5-0 through 5, cross and stripe patterns, and a selection of solid- and multicolored sutures. The sutures' coreless configuration is also flatter than most polyblend sutures, allowing each knot to lock up optimally against the last and thus providing enhanced knot security, according to the manufacturer. The company also states that the sutures' straight-pull tensile strength and knot tensile strength exceed those of polyblend sutures of comparable size. Nonsterile or sterile sutures are supplied on spools and in various cut-length configurations. They can also be preassembled into medical devices.
Teleflex Medical OEM
RALEIGH, NC

Miniature Metal Bellows
Six miniature bellows ranging in size from 0.358 in. OD and 0.200 in. ID up to 2.595 in. OD and 2.185 in. ID are now part of a line of edge-welded metal bellows offered by BellowsTech LLC for use in medical instrumentation. Each bellows is designed in a round configuration and available in stainless steel, several high-temperature alloys, or titanium. Titanium edge-welded bellows commonly used in medical infusion pumps feature a high stroke length to maximize their liquid-displacement capability. Edge-welded bellows are also used for such applications as electromagnetic-interference shielding, thermal expansion joints, and medical pumping systems. Furthermore, edge-welded bellows manufactured from Type 316L stainless steel are typically used as a cryogenic mechanical seal.
BellowsTech LLC
ORMOND BEACH, FL

Abrasive Blasters for Device Finishing
Comco Inc. manufactures microabrasive blasting systems for deburring, selectively cleaning, surface-treating, or otherwise preparing the surfaces of medical components and devices. The microblasting technique can be used to remove excess encapsulation material from a pacemaker, for example. In addition, it can be employed for peening the surface of pacemaker cans to remove scratches and to create an aesthetic matte finish. Microblasting is also effective in processing stents, cannulae, guidewires, bone screws, and surgical tools. The manufacturer has an applications laboratory in which customers' sample parts are tested to determine which microblasting method is most efficient for an application. Engineers apply different abrasive media to the parts under various conditions and then evaluate the results.
Comco Inc.
BURBANK, CA