PRODUCT UPDATE
EPflex Feinwerktechnik GmbH
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Optimized grinding processes, advanced joining techniques, and high-value materials are the hallmarks of a company that produces metal components for single-use medical devices. Certified to DIN ISO 13485, EPflex Feinwerktechnik GmbH (Dettingen, Germany; www.epflex.com) works extensively with stainless steel, platinum, titanium, and nitinol materials.
Laser cutting, plasma welding, and sandblasting technologies enable fine finishing of even the smallest components. Guidewires and probes, endoscopes, snares, stylets, and hypotubes are part of the company’s product range. Custom devices to suit customer specifications are also available.
EPflex holds the EC Design Examination Certificate 93/42/EEC for its basis guidewires and stone-extraction baskets.
Diversico Industries Inc.
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Swaging and forming techniques enable the fabrication of custom tubular components suited for use in medical instruments and devices. Diversico Industries Inc. (Minneapolis, MN, USA; www.diversico.com) specializes in changing metal tube shapes into unique designs.
In order to achieve the best results, the firm can call upon standard and proprietary processes such as end-forming, round to square transitions, tapers, expansions, reshaping, flaring, beading, weldless assemblies, heavy and thin walls, slip fits, and reinforced tubes inside of tubes. The tube-forming and specialty swaging manufacturer also can provide complete in-house secondary operations such as splining, drilling, punching, machining, and finishing. Certified to ISO 9001:2000, the firm routinely processes materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, and various grades of brass and copper.
Slater Tools Inc.
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Rotary broaching, also called hex or wobble broaching, involves the use of a precision tool to produce an internal form inside a predrilled hole or an external form on the outer diameter of a machined part. This fast and accurate method of producing internal and external polygon forms on the end of a workpiece is performed while the machine spindle is rotating.
A supplier of turning tools, Slater Tools Inc. (Clinton Township, MI, USA; www.slatertools.com) has expanded its line of Swiss-type adjustment-free rotary-broaching tool holders. Swiss-type tools are suited for manufacturing orthopaedic bone screws and small fastener products.
Broaches are available from the company with squares, hexagons, splines, serrations, and other polygon forms. Slater’s 0700 series features a 0.500-in. tool bore for use in larger Swiss-type machines. The firm’s newest adjustment-free rotary-broaching tool holder is one of the smallest available and does not need to be centered prior to use. It is designed primarily for use on Swiss-type CNC machines and gang-style lathes.
Slater Tools offers six different sizes of rotary-broaching tool holders, as well as associated attachments for screw machines.
Eximp Holland
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To fulfill the need for high-quality orthopaedic surgical products, Eximp Holland (Apeldoorn, Netherlands; www.eximpholland.ne) manufactures nonbreakable orthopaedic drill bits. The tools are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel and will not break into pieces even after extensive bending.
The company offers two types of orthopaedic drill bits: quick-connecting and three-jaw-chuck-fitting styles. The quick connectors are available in sizes ranging from 1.1 mm diam and 60 mm long to 6 mm diam and 195 mm long. The three-jaw-chuck type varies in size from 1 mm diam and 80 mm long to 6.35 mm diam and 180 mm long.
In addition to orthopaedic drill bits, the company also produces acetabular reamers, bone-cutting blades, taps, and rasps.
Eldon James Corp.
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A designer and manufacturer of plastic and stainless-steel hose fittings with a single-barb design produces metal-injection-moulded hose fittings from Type 316L stainless steel. Since metal-injection moulding has the potential to produce metal fittings with complex geometries and clean, uniform surfaces, Eldon James Corp. (Loveland, CO, USA; www.eldonjames.com) addresses some of the challenges posed by emerging high-tech medical and bioscience requirements. The 316L alloy fittings have a distinctive combination of temperature and chemical resistance properties and therefore may be suited for various critical application technologies.
The ISO 9001–certified manufacturer supplies several types of tubing, including clear or braided polyurethane and PVC. The company provides fittings in a variety of materials such as nylon, polypropylene, PVDF, and HDPE. Its product portfolio includes USP Class VI tubing, fittings, and hose connectors; IV luers and tubing; antimicrobial protected tubing and fittings; and nonallergenic, flexible medical tubing.
Euroflex GmbH
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Certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 13485, Euroflex GmbH (Pforzheim, Germany; www.euroflex-gmbh.de) manufactures metallic components suited for a variety of medical applications including stents, filters, baskets, guidewires, and flexible surgical instruments. The firm can accommodate a variety of surface finish requirements and offers fabrication lengths as large as 3000 mm. Specializing in processing nitinol and other advanced alloys, the company has manufactured high-grade semifinished products such as round and rectangular wires, strips, sheets, and tubing since 1993.
The firm’s extra-low-inclusion SE508ELI nitinol grade is made using proprietary techniques to minimize carbon and oxygen content. This material offers long fatigue life and smooth electropolished surfaces. According to the company, the nitinol grade supports high production yields and low fallout during chemical processing.
The company has developed a procedure for manufacturing nitinol tubing with an outer diameter as small as 60 µm and an inner diameter of 20 µm. That tubing can be used for applications in ophthalmology, neurosurgery, and biopsy procedures. The manufacturer also can create large thin-walled nitinol tubes with narrow wall and OD tolerances.
