Laser technology can lead the medical equipment industry and a 50-year (1)

Applicable to a variety of medical applications of particle, precision laser equipment

Since 50 years ago developed a laser, the laser technology has been in the field of scientific and industrial community.

Laser technology was initially considered to be able to form a brighter light, strengthening the military equipment and tools for improving communication, then gradually introducing modern manufacturing — including the manufacture of medical devices — because it provides an accurate and clean cutting, machining and welding methods.

Laser technology by controlling the basal output of high energy beams, melting, evaporation material ablation or to form a high-quality surface treatment effects.

Although the laser in the medical device manufacturing industry than more traditional machining technology, but it has many practical advantages: they can form more than punch cleaner edge processing effects; no need to use expensive tools can be made into a complex component; processing method than other faster and can handle a variety of materials. Therefore, in the manufacture of medical devices, laser technology is likely to lead another 50 years — or even longer.

Laser welding

Leister Technologies LLC (United States, Illinois) is a professional production of high power diode laser system of the company, the company developed the occurrence of the laser device can form a point, line and a variety of custom shape of the laser.

The company's laser system with contactless, no vibration and stress-free characteristics, can be used to weld the plastic material, to achieve local application of energy. The company also offers a variety of laser transmission methods to meet the demand for plastics welding applications, including outline, synchronization, mask and radial technology.

Leister General Manager Jerry Zybko commented: "in plastic joint applications, we use a system based on the laser diode, because it is a solid state, so there is no need to use any of the attachments.

In other words, that is, without using ND: YAG laser technology in the CO2 laser tubes or lamps. "Diode lasers offer 940-nm wavelengths 808-or to meet the different response wavelength of polymer application requirements. For these reasons, the company will consolidate its diode laser transmission infrared laser welding of plastics platform.

"Our system for processing plastics consists of two layers: a transparent layer and an absorbing layer.

Laser through the transparent layer and are following absorption layer absorbing, you can laser absorption of interface produces heat. "Zybko said.

Used for manufacturing microfluidic devices, Leister’s Novolas laser equipment relies on mask technology, in which the laser welds all the surfaces of a substrate except for the microfluidic channels themselves.

Leister's Novolas laser equipment utilization patent mask technique that can be used for the manufacture of Microfluidic devices, laser welding in addition to the micro-fluid channel itself all the surface of the substrate.

Use of chrome-plated glass mask, specific parts of the chromium removal, laser through to determine ideal weld area. With injection of Microfluidic channels and bottom flat component assembly is located beneath the mask, and impose clamping force. The light through the cascade structure, mask prevents light reaches the Microfluidic channels. "So that you can use laser to seal components, micro fluid channel. This technique applies to micro-fluid plastic piece structure, can generate a variety of welding, and no vibration or particles accumulate pollution can be ideal. "Zybko said.

According to laser welding Zybko, except in the areas of micro-fluid played a prominent role, but also in the catheter and tube junction area of operation.

Leister's laser machine utilization Novolas WC-C called radial welding technology to complete this procedure. In the technology, such as valves, parts into the circle of plastic pipe in polished metal, metal cone-shaped bore diameter. When the device of laser reaches the plastic parts, tube contour around to achieve synchronous welding. "Laser rotation or does not occur, and are moved round launch, and with the help of Diffractive optical elements reaches a small angle. When it touches the polishing Cone, it can direct vertical refraction to catheter and tube interface. "Zybko explained.

Laser technology in the field of application is becoming more and more economic, but is generally based on laser product still needs to adopt x-y device accurate movement control.

In addition, when using the device, the operator must take measures to laser shield, which increases the cost of the operation.

Zybko added that nevertheless, laser machining and other technology still has numerous advantages over.

For example, it will not produce particles, pollution or Flash, and welding can be completed within the parts, prevents spillage of excess material. In contrast, when using the 30 KHz ultrasonic welding parts, the resulting vibration may cause a degree of decomposition of the polymer and the formation of particulate, the particles must be vacuum aspiration or wash out — particularly for micro fluidic devices. "Using laser, we can use the pram plastic glass. We will not move, spin, vibration or move material used ultrasound. This processing is very clean after the parts and does have an impact on the volume. If you need 100-pl space, you can assemble the parts and the welding is completed. "Zybko said.