30 Jul 2002
High performance PEEK™ polymer tubing specified in new medical device to cure acid
When MEDEFAB of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, USA, a major manufacturer of medical device components, was customising tubing for a new device to cure acid reflux disease, VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer was the material of choice because of its outstanding combination of properties including high temperature and chemical resistance, toughness and strength.
"The new device is inserted down a patient's throat and relieves the acid reflux by cauterising the sphincter between the stomach and the oesophagus," explains Bob Adam, VP of Sales and Marketing for MEDEFAB.
"PEEK™ polymer is used in the device's four rectangular tubes, each of which has three linear lumen or holes. Central to the device is a balloon that, once inflated, presses the PEEK™ polymer tubing against the tissue. Nitinol needles travel down the tubing through the centre lumen where they protrude out into the sphincter and cauterise the tissue. The needles are retracted, the device rotated, and the cycle repeated several times. The resulting scar tissue creates tension in the sphincter so it seals more effectively and relieves the chronic acid reflux condition."
High temperature resistance is an essential property requirement for these particular tri-lumen tubes says Adam. "The needles used to cauterise the tissue must be insulated from both the patient and the balloon. PEEK™ polymer is an excellent insulator and works well in this device.
"Also important to the device functionality is the material's excellent dimensional stability at high temperature. PEEK™ polymer is ideal for the complex geometry of the tubing.
It meets the high tolerances required while maintaining its mechanical properties at elevated temperatures."
To ensure the puncture resistance of the tubing, toughness and strength are a major requirement. "The Nitinol needles have to extend through predetermined holes drilled into the tubing," says Adam. "If the needles were to puncture the tubing and exit above or below the sphincter they would not act on the targeted tissue.
PEEK™ polymer was chosen because it is a high durometer material. In some instances, it can be used to replace stainless steel." Moreover, PEEK™ polymer is chemically inert and can be either ETO or gamma sterilised.
MEDEFAB is a contract manufacturer of medical devices. It has extrusion and moulding capabilities, both insert and loose piece. The company builds and operates its own tipping and drilling equipment designed for specific customer use. It can also provide pad printing or hot stamping, and assembly of the final product.
Reader enquiries
Helen SwarbrickVictrex plc
Victrex Technology Centre
Hillhouse International
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire FY5 4QD
United Kingdom
Tel +44 1253 897700
Fax +44 1253 897701
United Kingdom
Notes for editors
Victrex plc, which has its sales, technical and production headquarters at Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire, UK, had a turnover of more than £72m in the last financial year. The company exports 95 percent of its VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer output to OEMs in the automotive, industrial, medical, food and electronics market sectors in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
Information on products, technical support services and sales and distribution contacts worldwide, can be accessed through the company’s web site: www.victrex.com
The PEEK™ Trademark
For many years Victrex plc has been using the PEEK™ trademark to refer to its brand of Polyaryletherketone. Victrex plc is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the PEEK™ brand polymer world-wide. PEEK™ is a trademark of Victrex plc.
Related images
High performance PEEK™ polymer tubing specified in new
medical device to cure acid reflux disease