dangerous particulates into the end product. Laser
stripping offers a clean alternative.
Hypodermic Tubing Coatings
Catheter Wiring
Catheters are used to guide a medical probe or
device to the required tissue. The highest demands
are placed on reducing wiring size to improve
maneuverability and increase functionality. Typical
applications include RF ablation where the catheter
carries multiple conductors, including a number of
thermocouples, as well as the RF ablation signal. This
fine wiring tends to be manufactured using either
enamel (e.g. polyimide) coatings or bio-compatible
fluoropolymers.
Smaller wires, such as those used in catheters can
easily be nicked when using traditional mechanical
stripping methods. However, because the conductor
will reflect the laser, laser wire stripping ensures a
100% nick-free strip, even with the smallest wires.
The hypotube is a long metal tube with micro-
engineered features along its length. It is a critical
component of minimally-invasive catheters, used
in conjunction with balloons and stents to open
up clogged arteries. The balloon portion of the
catheter is attached to the head of the hypotube. In
manufacturing such devices, it is necessary to remove
part of the extruded coating (such as PTFE, ETFE or
nylon based compounds). Laser removal is proving
popular over more traditional blade based methods
primarily due to the ability to automate the process.
Fine Wire Applications
Small gauge single conductors are very common
in medical devices, whether found in a catheter
delivered device or in a cochlear implant or hearing
aid. With laser stripping, wires as small as 50 AWG
and smaller can be stripped without damage to the
conductor.
Micro-Coaxial Ribbons
Flat micro-coaxial ribbon cables are found in a great
number of medical device interconnects. A classic
example is that of the ultra-sound cable. High density,
high frequency signals must be transmitted with the
Pacemaker Electrodes
most flexible cabling possible - dictating very small
conductor sizes in high density micro-coax ribbons.
These flexible, spring-like, electrodes pose special
challenges to laser ablation due to their fluoropolymer Again, laser stripping guarantees quality results in
these small cables.
coatings and sensitivity to heat during processing.
However, those challenges can be overcome with the
selection of the proper laser and processing technique, The Future of Medical Device Manufacturing
making laser stripping a viable option.
The medical device manufacturing market requires
very high quality processes coupled with ever more
High Performance Motor Windings
complex and delicate wiring systems. Laser wire
stripping can meet many of the challenges of the
Medical power tools, such as drills used in brain
industry and will continue to be the method of choice
surgery, must have the highest levels of quality and
as smaller and more delicate medical devices continue
reliability. Traditional mechanical brushing and
abrading of enameled motor windings can introduce to evolve.
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WIRE NEWS November 2017 9