Atherectomy tubing

for catheter manufacturingfor medical device manufacturingpolyethersulfone

Overview

Nordson MEDICAL supplies a range of medical polyimide tubing engineered for demanding device applications. The product line focuses on thin-wall construction, tight inner/outer diameter tolerances and high-temperature performance.

Applications

Common medical uses include:

• Retention sheaths for self-expanding stents
• Inflation lumens for balloons
• Suction lumens for atherectomy devices
• Liners for lumens with catheter-steering wires
• Guidewire outer sheaths and low-diameter guidewire designs
• High-temperature or gamma radiation-resistant tubing
• Applications requiring high tensile strength, torque transmission, or column stiffness
• Precision wire coating

Configurations

Made-to-order thin-wall polyimide tubing is available in numerous configurations:

• Over 200 tight-tolerance configurations
• ID range: 0.004"–0.085" (0.102 mm–2.159 mm) in 0.001" increments
• Wall thickness: ultrathin to thick (0.0005"–0.0100")
• Standard color: amber (transparent); also producible in black, green, yellow, red and others

Composite Tubing

Polyimide may be blended, braided or layered with other polymers to meet performance targets. Options include:

• Low-friction inner or outer layers
• Fusible thermoplastic outer layers
• Improved kink radius
• Braided constructions for enhanced torque transmission

• More than 80 layer combinations available
• Compatible materials include PTFE, Nylon, Pebax, Polyurethane, Polyphenylsulfone and Polyimide

Precision Wire Coatings

Polyimide is suited for precision wire coatings thanks to its electrical insulation and mechanical properties:

• High dielectric strength
• Precision tolerances
• Chemical and high-temperature resistance
• Thin-wall capability
• High tensile strength

Braid-Reinforced Tubing

Braid-reinforced constructions incorporate a wire braid within multiple layers to provide torque, tensile strength and kink resistance. Typical ranges:

• ID examples: 0.013"–0.074"
• Wall examples: 0.002"–0.008"
• Made-to-order ID range: 0.004"–0.420"
• Made-to-order wall range: 0.0005"–0.010"

Technical Information

Polyimide Tubing Specifications
ID range: 0.004"–0.085" (0.102 mm–2.159 mm)
Wall thickness range: 0.0005"–0.0100" (0.0127 mm–0.2540 mm)
OD tolerance: ±0.0002"–±0.0005" (±0.0051 mm–±0.0127 mm)
Length: Standard 36"–55"; Maximum 32'; Custom cutting: 0.020"–73.0"
Color: Amber (transparent); other colors available
Printing: Compatible with conventional printing techniques

Polyimide Tubing Material Properties
Polymer type: Thermoset
Tensile strength: 20,000 psi (minimum)
Elongation at break: 30% (min)
Modulus of elasticity: 310 kpsi
Dielectric strength: 4000 V/.001"
Moisture absorption: 0.841 wt% (24 hours)
Thermal range: -269°C to 400°C (-452°F to 752°F)
Thermal conductivity: 0.471 W/m*K
Coefficient of friction (dry, dynamic): 0.5

Features of Thin-Wall Polyimide Tubing

• USP Class VI compliant
• Chemically inert with excellent chemical resistance
• High torque transmission
• High column strength
• Nonmelting
• Microsize IDs available
• Transparent (amber) option

Technical specifications

• ID range: 0.004"–0.085" (0.102 mm–2.159 mm)
• Wall thickness range: 0.0005"–0.0100" (0.0127 mm–0.2540 mm)
• OD tolerance: ±0.0002"–±0.0005" (±0.0051 mm–±0.0127 mm)
• Length: Standard 36"–55"; Maximum 32'; Custom cutting range 0.020"–73.0"
• Color: Amber (transparent) and other colors available
• Polymer type: Thermoset
• Tensile strength: 20,000 psi (minimum)
• Elongation: 30% minimum
• Modulus of elasticity: 310 kpsi
• Dielectric strength: 4000 V/.001"
• Thermal range: -269°C to 400°C (-452°F to 752°F)
• Thermal conductivity: 0.471 W/m*K
• Coefficient of friction (dry, dynamic): 0.5
• USP Class VI compliant, chemically inert, excellent chemical resistance