Comco Inc. has introduced a microblasting lathe that can be used to treat the surfaces of laser cut nitinol stents. Dross and laser slag must be removed to create a uniform finish for better electropolishing results. Microblasting effectively removes these residues as well as microcracks, according to the manufacturer. The system can be used in the manufacture of dental implants, where roughening the threaded area of the dental implant increases the surface area for the tissue to take root, thereby improving the bond. Equally critical for this application, however, is maintaining a smooth surface on the apex of the implant to prevent bacteria growth. Microblasting provides the precision necessary to roughen the threads without damaging the finish on the apex.

The LA3250 lathe provides a platform for both R&D and production of these medical devices. Using up to four axes of motion and unique tooling, the LA3250 is able to process a range of parts.

The heart of the new ultrasonic welding system is Melt Match technology, a unique method that precisely controls the collapse speed profile during the weld. Collapsing too slowly may cause material degradation while collapsing too quickly may result in cold forming, according to Michael Johnston, national sales and marketing manager. Melt Match is unique because it precisely matches the collapse speed during the melt phase. As a result, the ultrasonic propagation penetrates deeper into the bond area and the affected heat zone is larger, resulting in superior bond strength. This contrasts to typical pneumatic welders that continue to travel during the hold phase, unlike a servo-controlled welder that can either stop and/or continue to collapse a specified distance and speed during the hold phase.

This high repeatability results in fewer rejects for manufacturers. In fact, testing shows that the average standard deviation for filter housing parts welded on a servo unit was 1.8% compared to 6.6% for those welded on a pneumatic machine.

The iQ servo-controlled welder also offers more consistent part height unlike pneumatic welders whose continuous travel during the hold phase may affect part height. The iQ servo welder “controls the entire process,” according to Johnston, and thus the collapse standard deviation of the iQ welder is three times better than that of a pneumatic machine.

Invibio introduced PEEK-Optima, the first in a versatile family of polymeric biomaterials, in 1999. Today, as Invibio celebrates the ten year anniversary of PEEK-Optima, the polymers are used to manufacture a variety of FDA-approved implantable devices for the treatment of various spinal conditions, diseases and injuries. To date, over two million devices comprised of PEEK-Optima polymers have been implanted in patients worldwide, according to the manufacturer.

Used in spinal fusion devices, and in the development of disc arthroplasty, dynamic stabilisation and interspinous devices, PEEK-Optima polymers provide biocompatibility with no adverse events reported in over two million implanted devices. In 2007, Invibio launched PEEK-Optima reinforced grades, designed to provide significantly increased strength and stiffness as well as a modulus similar to that of cortical bone.

The 2009 Spine Technology Awards were presented in eight categories: biomaterials, device technologies for cervical care, lumbar care, motion preservation of the spine, minimally invasive care, diagnostics and imaging, pain management and regenerative technologies. Surgeon judges evaluated entries for originality, clinical relevance and the likelihood that the technology will improve current standards of care.

An optional probe can be fitted at extra cost, depending on the purchaser’s requirements. In operation, the fast-acting probe will automatically swing down as programmed, without the need to clear the tool out of the way. A full tooling package is also available.

At high speeds, robustness and stability is vital during the cutting process and vibration can be problematic. The manufacturer has overcome this by not only incorporating a granite table into the M75 but also developing a unique matrix cone clamping system, which ensures that fixtures are located quickly and accurately every time. This provides reductions in set-up time as well as the flexibility to be able to take off one job and put another on if priorities require, with no loss of accuracy because of the location system. Cycle times are also appreciably shortened.

Providing powerful control and fast cutting capability over 6 axes, the M75 shows its versatility, for example, by being able to engrave over a curve, such as a pump housing or cylinder. It is quiet in operation and is equally efficient cutting ureol, CFRP or acrylics as well as stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper and the harder metals

Dolomite, a specialist in microfluidic design and manufacture, has introduced the Mitos resealable chip holder, which has been designed to allow researchers complete flexibility in their cell culture and analysis, dielectrophoresis, impedance detection and biosensor detection. With eight fluidic and eight electrical connections, microfluidic chips can be easily opened and then resealed, allowing deposition of reagents or cells onto the channel surface at different times.

The low-profile chip holder fits easily on a microscope stage, and windows at top or bottom allow a microscope objective lens to get within millimetres of the microfluidic channel, allowing easy viewing in a laboratory environment. The chip holders are easily taken apart for easy cleaning and have very good chemical resistance.