|
 |
| Demonstrates a flat stent with struts of .003-.004" wide before any "cleaning". Other medical applications require small precise holes for gas flow regulators, drug delivery, etc. |
The new era in medicine with non-invasive surgical procedures, powerful diagnostic methods, and outpatient care
requires high volume fabrication of complicated and inexpensive components such as stents, catheters, and
implantable parts. Usually, these items are small metal or polymer devices of flat or tubular shape with intricate
cut out patterns. Their purpose is to hold or fix human tissues, conduct diagnostic procedures, deliver
a substance, or carry other devices. Accordingly, materials include thin sheets or hypotubing made of Stainless
Steel, Nitinol, Gold; wires and rods of Elgiloy, Diamond-like coated metals, certain polymers, piezo ceramics,
graphite, and composites.
Traditional methods of machining these items include mechanical machining, EDM, chemical etching combined with lithography,
electroforming, and ion milling or reactive ion etching. During the past few years, however, laser cutting using Carbon
Dioxide and Nd-YAG lasers have been introduced into the production of high precision parts where there were
relatively large features with little concern for edge quality. Extensive "cleaning" such as electropolishing
or micro sandblasting are required to overcome edge problems associated with these technologies.
The need for smaller features, better edge quality, small heat affected zones, and lower cost has driven further
technology developments in laser microcutting.
Gateway Laser Services has developed a new method utilizing High Resolution Laser Micromachining. Kerfs as small
as .0004" allow us to produce features below .002" in size with no heat affected zones, high edge quality, and
no dross/recast formation for most materials. It is the perfect solution for those in need of precision medical
micro machining services.
The following pictures describe some applications for our method.
 |
|
 |
| .004" hole in stainless steel of a flow regulator. High accuracy flow orifices with +/- 5 microns diameter variation are available using Brass or Polymers (polyimide). |
|
.010" hole in a .035" diameter IA Needle made from TiAl alloy. |
| |
 |
|
 |
| A small Implant. The gear-like part made of .005" thick Stainless Steel has an OD of .060". |
|
A solid piece Particle Filter with 100 micron openings micromachined from Inconel. |
| |
| Unquestionably, the micro machining method is suitable for any material: ceramics, polymers, semiconductors, or multilayered materials used in a variety of industries. |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
 |
Gateway Laser Services
2345 Millpark Dr., Suite A
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Phone: (314) 785-6800
Fax: (314) 733-0205
|
|
|
