Putnam Plastics Corporation, a leader in advanced extrusions
for minimally invasive medical devices, has developed a proprietary process for
manufacturing custom monofilament fibers up to 0.100 inches (2.54 mm) in
diameter from performance materials such as nylon and polypropylene. Oriented,
large diameter fibers offer substantial strength properties to replace metals
in applications that require x-ray transparency or non-magnetic properties for
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications.
Large diameter medical monofilaments between 0.025 in. (0.64
mm) and 0.100 in. (2.54 mm) are generally not stock items from current
suppliers of medical monofilaments. Custom manufacturing these sizes requires
increased extrusion volume and substantial draw down for orientation. This can
present challenges in controlling diameters, maintaining strength performance
and managing setup time and costs. Putnam has overcome these challenges by
developing a proprietary extrusion process for custom monofilament
manufacturing that controls voids and diameters, resulting in more consistent
product performance.
Putnam’s custom medical monofilament fiber capabilities
range from 0.001 – 0.100 in. (0.025 -2.54 mm) in diameter and are available in
a range of materials that include polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyurethane
and thermoplastic elastomers. These monofilaments are non-magnetic, transparent
to x-rays, light weight and high strength, thus ideally suited for tension
components used in minimally invasive devices and magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI).
“The convergence of minimally invasive devices and medical
imaging technologies are increasing demand for non-metallic components made
from high performance materials. These emerging device solutions are custom by
definition,” said Ray Rilling, General Manager at Putnam. “There is no
off-the-shelf source for medical monofilaments with diameters greater than
0.025 in. (0.64mm). Our monofilament lines are built for custom medical
applications, with capabilities for processing the broadest range of sizes and
materials for device prototypes through production.
Putnam Plastics
www.putnamplastics.com
