Company insight
Advances in multi-layer catheter production
Basker Lalgudi, product expert and business manager with Evonik explains how its VESTAMID® ME-B, co-extruded with Daikin’s NEOFLON®
CARE EFEP, streamlines catheter production by eliminating the
need for adhesives and multi-step processes. This single-step method reduces time and labour while producing high-quality, flexible medical catheters for various applications.
surgical procedures such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Due to the nature of the procedure, these special catheters have at least two layers with the need of a flexible outer layer and an extremely lubricious inner layer, typically a fluoropolymer. The common method for manufacturing involves a multi-step process that uses a wire support, or mandrel, and the application of an adhesive layer to bind the fluoropolymer and a stronger, different type of polymer (a dissimilar polymer). Basker Lalgudi, product expert and business manager with Evonik, explains the possibilities of reducing time and labour costs by co-extruding Evonik VESTAMID®
M CARE
ME-B and a fluoropolymer such as Daikin NEOFLON(R) EFEP RP5101 in a single step, eliminating the use of an adhesive, mechanical and chemical etching, and heat shrinkage to bond the two polymers. The result is a medical-grade catheter that can be produced across a wide range of stiffness for many applications.
ulti-layer catheters are common in modern medical practices, especially minimally invasive
How can this production process be cut to one single step? Traditionally, the manufacturing process for multi-layer catheters was to create a fluoropolymer inner layer for the lubricity, and an outer layer made from PEBA, for flexibility and kink-resistance. Through unique technology, however, Evonik was able to specially modify the PEBA (polyether block amide) material. The result is VESTAMID®
Care ME-B, which
has the special ability to chemically bond to |a fluoropolymer, EFEP, when processed in a precise, single-step co-extrusion process.
How does this affect the production of non-invasive medical catheters? The key benefit of using this one-of-a-kind technology is the simplification of a traditionally time and cost-intensive, multi-step manufacturing process. First of all, this co-extrusion process eliminates the need for a wire mandrel to support the fluoropolymer. Secondly, co-extruding a fluoropolymer with a specially modified, bondable PEBA takes away the multiple intermediate steps, including
mechanical and chemical etching, and the application of an adhesive layer. The reduction of these steps increases the overall efficiency of costs, labour and production time. Other benefits include the special properties of the chosen PEBA material. Like all products in the VESTAMID® VESTAMID®
range, the bondable Care ME-B is extremely
temperature resistant and can effortlessly handle the heat ranges required to co-extrude the EFEP fluoropolymer. Furthermore, VESTAMID® Care products are well-tested and well-established for their bio-compatibility for use in medical applications.
How versatile is this technology? This special co-extrusion process of VESTAMID®
Care ME-B and EFEP can
produce a wide range of stiffness, also known as Shore durometer, as well as various wall thicknesses. Even more possibilities continue to be explored at Evonik’s special customer centre in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States, where special co-extrusion trials are performed to meet the unique needs of various catheter applications. Some key tests performed include bonding strength, and material sampling and testing directly with catheter manufacturers.
Where can one learn more about the possibilities of this technology? New possibilities for medical devices are constantly being researched and tested. Evonik is currently showcasing this and other VESTAMID®
Care solutions at the
AMI Medical Tubing and Catheters event, from October 29 to 30, in Tampa, Florida, in the United States. During the event, experts will be on hand at Evonik’s booth to personally discuss the real-world applications in detail. ●
Evonik’s single-step process simplifies catheter production, cutting costs and boosting efficiency. 90
https://medical.evonik.com Medical Device Developments /
www.nsmedicaldevices.com
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