Polymer solution casting
The polymer solution casting process utilizes a mandrel, or inner diameter mold, that is immersed in a tank of polymer solution or liquid plastic that has been specifically engineered for the process. Due to a combination of thermal and frictional properties, the polymer solution then forms a thin film around the mold.[1] The mold is then extracted from the tank in a precisely controlled manner, followed by a curing or drying process. Once the first layer of thin film is appropriately solidified, secondary features can be added to the product such as braided or coiled wire, laser-cut hypotubes or engineered metal reinforcements to prevent kinking, or imaging targets specific to the intended medical application. Multiple casting steps can then be repeated to encapsulate the reinforcements, build up wall thickness, add additional lumens and optimize column strength. The part is then removed from the mold after it is cured or solidified.
The most notable attribute of this thin-film process technology is the ability to alternate the material properties (i.e. strength,
Another notable advantage of polymer solution casting technology is that the total manufacturing cost for both prototyping and production volumes are frequently less than the conventional technologies. This cost benefit results from the use of inexpensive molds coupled with the scalability and adaptability of the manufacturing line. As a result, new products and processes are readily developed and implemented, facilitating cost-effective creation of very feature rich and complex
Materials
Polymer solution casting technology can be deployed utilizing a host of different polymer materials depending on the application and design inputs, including those used in Class I, II and III medical devices,[2] and for the preparation of
Another material choice for polymer solution casting is silicone urethane copolymers, which are among the most biocompatible synthetic materials. This class of medical grade material was developed for long-term implantable device applications and offers the physical characteristics of high elongation, low
While there exists a number of materials to choose from while deploying polymer solution casting technology, the material science work continues in the areas of wall thickness, strength, lubricity, biocompatibility and clarity as well as interactions of the liquid polymers with extruded and injection molded components.
Medical Device Applications
- Cardiovascular
- Neurovascular
- Vascular
- Interventional Cardiology
- Urology
- Oncology
- Ear Nose Throat
- Gastro-intestinal
- Gynecology
- Diabetes
- Radiology
- Venousdisease
- Microbiology
- Ophthalmic
- Interventional pulmonology
- Orthopedics
- Percutaneous Valve Therapy
- Structural Heart therapy
References
- ^ Solvent cast technology - a versatile tool for thin film production. springer.com. Retrieved on 2013-10-31.
- ^ Polymers in Medicine II. springer.com. Retrieved on 2013-10-31.