Catheter Extrusions For Different Applications

By Author: john sadee
Total Articles: 15
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The Catheter extrusions enable the designers to make shafts of different materials as well as configurations so that they will be not only be more advanced, but also cost effective. This type of catheters ensures much better performance. The process, design and type of the material are significant for its performance. A very few number of polymers have the characteristics that are required for using in these tubings. Multiple grades of the polymers are offered by the manufacturers so as to be suitable for different types of applications. The shafts that are made out of a single material will not have flexibility. But, flexibility is very important for a tubing in order to navigate the various branches in the vascular system. When the properties and design of the material help to increase the possibility as well as torque transmission it will reduce the flexibility making the shaft unsuitable for navigation. Pushability, torque transmission and flexibility are the main characteristics of these tubes.

Thermoplastic polyurethanes are widely used for Catheter extrusions. The polyurethane varieties include polyester, polyether ...
... and polycarbonates. Aromatic as well as aliphatic grades are also available. The type of polyurethane used for these tubes is highly significant. For prolonged applications inside the body polycarbonate based polyurethanes are widely used. They ensure biostability for a long period. In order to avoid vascular trauma and also to ensure the comfort of the patient aliphatic and aromatic poly ether type urethanes are used. They remain soft at the body temperature. These types of polyurethanes are commonly used in peripherally inserted central catheters and central venous alternatbes. They are known as indwelling catheters. In balloon as well as stent delivery systems instead of softness more stiffness is required at the body temperature. In this type, Polyamides as well as polyamide block copolymers are used. While Polyamide is a nylon Polyamide block copolymer is modified nylon. They provide more elasticity. They are the most ideal for Interventional catheters.

When catheters are required with higher strength as well as heat resistance Polyetheretherketone is used. PEEK is a thermoplastic and it can be extruded in continuous processes. The extrusions are provided with structural support by incorporating longitudinal wires and fibers. As a result they resist crushing and buckling. The various materials that are used for reinforcing include stainless steel, nickel titanium, high-tensile polymer fibers etc. The catheters can be of single lumen or multiple Lumens. Single Lumens is used for urological, drainage and IV catheters whereas two and three Lumens are used in peripherally inserted lines.

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