Application of laser processing technology in the field of medical device manufacturing Ⅲ

Laser cutting: For the cutting of human implantable devices and surgical tools. 

In the field of medical devices, laser cutting is most commonly used to manufacture tubular products such as implantable stents, endoscopic and arthroscopic tools, flexible shafts, needles, catheters and tubes, as well as flat appliances such as clamps, frames and screen structures. These devices are critical to enabling advanced surgical procedures and improving the health and quality of life of millions of patients.

Laser cutting of medical devices usually requires the use of pressurized auxiliary gases, typically oxygen, argon, or nitrogen, which flow along the beam in a coaxial manner. The laser source used for cutting can be a microsecond, nanosecond fiber laser, or a USP laser with a pulse width of 100 femtoseconds. Fiber lasers are widely used because of their low price, good beam quality and easy integration with fiber.

Fiber lasers are good at cutting thick metals, such as stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chromium and Nitinol, etc., and the cutting thickness can reach 0.5~3mm.

Fiber lasers are therefore ideal for cutting surgical saws, blades, and large surgical drills with flexible shafts. However, since fiber laser cutting is a thermal processing process, parts usually appear burr, scum and heat-affected areas after cutting, so it is necessary to use post-processing cleaning technology, such as tumbling, deburring and electrolytic polishing, to polish and clean the processed products before use.

In the manufacturing of medical devices, lasers have been widely used in laser marking, welding, cutting and other processes. Choosing the right laser for each process is important to achieve the desired machining results and stable repeatability. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the process fundamentals opens up new opportunities to drive innovation in the medical device sector.