Medical Device Link.

WHAT'S NEW

A new fabrication method can produce ceramic parts for medical applications with submicron tolerances.

Precision ceramic machining and extrusion techniques developed by Pilot Precision Ceramics (Kanagawa, Japan; www.pilot-pre.com) can yield rods, tubes, and irregular shapes with tolerances held to the submicrometer level. The process is being introduced to medical device professionals at this year's Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M East; www.mdmeast.com) in New York City .

The technique can produce ceramic parts with extraordinary levels of concentricity, eccentricity, and end-to-end straightness, according to the firm. Holes can be as small as 10 micrometers and can be custom configured. Tubes with outer diameters from 0.3 to 5 mm can be extruded with wall thicknesses from 100 micrometers to 2.49 mm. Multilumen tubing can also be fabricated using this technique.

Medical applications include implantable devices, devices that send or receive radio signals, products with small orifices that cannot erode, small filters, and custom-configured items such as products with nonround holes.