Laser Processing

Applications

• 3-D micro-components
• Marker band
• Single lumen catheters
• Multilumen catheters
• Tip shaping of catheters
• Wire coating stripping
• Electrode coating removal
• Balloon surface texturing

specifications

definition

Process of using a laser beam to selectively remove material from a solid substrate.

example uses:

• Removal of a coating to expose a sensor, detachment device, or electrical connection point
• Material removal to shape a wire or tube into a complex micro component
• Tip shaping to soften the edge of a delivery catheter insertion point

materials

markets

Medical device markets benefiting from laser ablation include:

• Neurovascular
• Ophthalmic
• Diabetes
• Electrophysiology
• Neuromodulation

Applications

• Pull rings
• Flexible catheter shafts
• Thin wall custom stents
• Needle fabrication
• Nitinol stents and valve frames
• Delivery system components
• Bioresorbable stents

specifications

definition

Process in which material is struck with a laser and removed with an assistive gas.

example uses:

• Custom flexibility is needed in a catheter delivery system
• Components require geometrical features that mechanical or molding processes cannot produce
• Complex geometry is required across the overall length of the component or implant

materials

markets

Medical device markets benefiting from laser cutting include:

• Neurovascular
• Ophthalmic
• Structural Heart
• Electrophysiology
• Peripheral Vascular
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Sports Medicine

Applications

• Embolic protection filters
• Side ports in infusion catheters
• Micro hole arrays
• Flow access holes

specifications

definition

Process of using a laser to abate micro-scale holes in material.

example uses:

• Controlled fluid flow rate is required in a filter or drug delivery process
• Access point is needed in a catheter delivery system
• Holes cannot be made using mechanical or molding processes

materials

markets

Medical device markets benefiting from laser hole drilling include:

• Interventional Cardiology
• Diabetes
• Drug Delivery
• Neurovascular
• Ophthalmic

Applications

• Pull ring assemblies for steerable catheters
• Thin wire components for delivery systems
• Micro implants
• Metal components for systems
• Electrode rings to wire leads

specifications

definition

Process that joins two metals by using low heat input and high precision

example uses:

• Assembly of complex micro delivery system components such as marker bands, pull rings, flexible hypotubes, 3-D components, and thin wires
• Hermetic seal is required for implant or instrument
• Devices where traditional welding methods are not able to achieve weld requirements

materials

markets

Medical device markets benefiting from laser welding include:

• Neurovascular
• Structural Heart
• Electrophysiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Ophthalmic
• Peripheral Vascular
• Sports medicine