Polymer tubing specified in new medical device
A
Victrex product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Aug 2, 2002
When Medefab was customising tubing for a new device to cure acid reflux disease, Victrex Peek polymer was the material of choice because of its outstanding combination of properties.
When Medefab of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, USA, a major manufacturer of medical device components, was customising tubing for a new device to cure acid reflux disease, Victrex Peek polymer was the material of choice because of its outstanding combination of properties including high temperature and chemical resistance, toughness and strength.
"The new device is inserted down a patient's throat and relieves the acid reflux by cauterising the sphincter between the stomach and the oesophagus", explains Bob Adam, VP of Sales and Marketing for Medefab.
"Peek polymer is used in the device's four rectangular tubes, each of which has three linear lumen or holes.
Central to the device is a balloon that, once inflated, presses the Peek polymer tubing against the tissue.
Nitinol needles travel down the tubing through the centre lumen where they protrude out into the sphincter and cauterise the tissue.
The needles are retracted, the device rotated, and the cycle repeated several times.
The resulting scar tissue creates tension in the sphincter so it seals more effectively and relieves the chronic acid reflux condition".
High temperature resistance is an essential property requirement for these particular tri-lumen tubes says Adam.
"The needles used to cauterise the tissue must be insulated from both the patient and the balloon.
Peek polymer is an excellent insulator and works well in this device.
"Also important to the device functionality is the material's excellent dimensional stability at high temperature.
Peek polymer is ideal for the complex geometry of the tubing.
It meets the high tolerances required while maintaining its mechanical properties at elevated temperatures".
To ensure the puncture resistance of the tubing, toughness and strength are a major requirement.
"The Nitinol needles have to extend through predetermined holes drilled into the tubing", says Adam.
"If the needles were to puncture the tubing and exit above or below the sphincter they would not act on the targeted tissue.
Peek polymer was chosen because it is a high durometer material.
In some instances, it can be used to replace stainless steel".
Moreover, Peek polymer is chemically inert and can be either ETO or gamma sterilised.
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