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Cannulae - Polymer Solution
Casting
Nordson MEDICAL is the world's leading contract manufacturer of cardiopulmonary vascular cannulae, catheters, and specialized medical tubing for a wide range of clinical applications. The key is our Avalon Laboratories polymer solution casting technology, which allows us to design and manufacture custom tubing with features not achievable by conventional extrusion or injection molding, at less cost.
Have an Interest in Utilizing Pebax®?
Nordson MEDICAL has a theoretical manufacturing approach to put Pebax® coatings on catheters and finished devices. Thinking beyond the typical manufacturing processes used in the market today, this method allows for seamless tapers along the full length of a catheter and offers unmatched flexibility with the elimination of fuse or glue joints. This new method can enable design options, previously thought to be impossible, to become a reality.
Schedule a meeting with us at MD&M West to discuss our exciting new exploration into seamless and flexible Pebax® coatings for catheters.
Applications of Polymer Solution Cast Cannulae
Polymer solution cast cannulae and catheters are used in a wide range of applications that require specialized medical tubing, including:
Bariatrics/Obesity: Some cannula have been used for gastrointestinal access, suction or delivery of obesity therapies.
Extracorporeal Life Support: Most of our cannula are used to aid in life support by transporting blood in and out of the body to oxygenate or remove carbon dioxide during various surgical procedures (some listed below) where the heart or the lungs cannot perform these functions. Cannula may also support patients in recovery after their procedures or on a longer-term life assist basis.
Bypass surgeries
Heart or lung support
Ventricular assist device (VAD) therapies
Peripheral Vascular Access/Stent Delivery: Utilizing polymer solution casting technology, we have helped catheter designers to develop components in larger assemblies for access and stent delivery
Many Properties; One Device
Applying liquid polymers in layers allows us to combine into one device materials with different properties including strength, lubricity, and flexibility. This technique allows varying wall thicknesses and diameters along the length of the device in a single-piece construction, while maintaining tight tolerances. We can also add reinforcement for flexibility, kink resistance, and maneuverability. Polymer solution casting results in thin walls, high flow, and superior column strength for enhanced performance.
Customized Materials to Meet Your Needs
Our experienced material engineers can collaborate with you to select the optimal materials to meet your device’s design and performance requirements. Materials include:
Polyurethanes (PU)
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Silicone urethane copolymers
Custom blends
Extensive Custom Capabilities
Single- or multilumen tubing
Coaxial tubing
Complex geometric designs
Tapered designs
Bump tubing
Bending/shaping/forming
Wide range of diameters and durometers
Embedded reinforcement options
Compare Our Construction
Polymer Solution Casting
Tri-layer Solutions
Target Applications
High Complexity
High Mix/Low Volume
Moderate Complexity
Low Mix/High Volume
Up-Front Cost
Minimal
Higher
Scalability
Scale as needed
Limited access to low volume runs for custom extrusion
Construction
Single piece
No bond or butt joints
No delamination
Inner layer, tie layer. Requires bonding between layers.
Material variation along length requires butt joints or stepped diameter
Strengths
Changes in diameter, wall thickness or material properties along the length
Smooth, continuous diameter transitions
Embedded component variety
Long lengths of identical, concentric tubing walls
Long lengths of identical, die-cut multi-lumen profiles
Lower cost for volume runs
Challenges
Wall uniformity (thin layers conform to the geometry of embedded components)
Discrete process
Tapered diameters
Changes in wall thickness along the length
Smooth changes in material properties along the length
Embedding complex features
Ultra-thin layers
Polymer Solution Casting can help you achieve the performance you need. With our unique ability to combine several properties into a single-piece construction, and to create multiple lumens with tapers and other embedded features without bonds, you don't have to sacrifice design features. Our process can achieve things that traditional catheter manufacturing cannot. Want to find out more about how we can solve your design challenges with our unique approach?
Having Delamination Failures?
Polymer solution casting can help your delivery systems function properly without sacrificing design features. Our unique coating technology can better encapsulate your embedded components between PTFE liners and outer jackets. If your current bonding technique is less than appealing, find out how polymer solution casting can solidify your design.
More About Polymer Solution Cast Products
Nordson MEDICAL produces a wide range of products for surgical and minimally invasive procedures, including valve replacement and repair, bypass surgeries, urology, lung support, and ventricular assist device (VAD) therapies, and other specialized medical tubing applications.
Looking for Other Technologies to Develop Your Catheter-Based Device?
Our engineered shafts give you the ability to leverage the performance characteristics of multiple materials within one shaft to achieve a balance of strength, flexibility, torque response, kink resistance, and more.
Browse technical information for cannulae & catheter materials, shapes, profiles, and more
