TE Connectivity Unveils 3D Printing Process to Streamline Catheter Manufacturing
TE Connectivity has introduced a new automated 3D printing process to manufacture catheter shafts supplied to medical device manufacturers, replacing a higher-cost, predominantly manual assembly process commonly used across the industry. The technology was developed by the Advanced Technology Group within TE’s Medical business at the PROPELUS Prototype Center in Galway, Ireland.
Catheters often require multiple polymer jacket sections with different flexibility characteristics along the length of the device. The new process applies the polymer sections directly onto the catheter shafts during production, resulting in a quicker and more consistent manufacturing process. The resulting catheter shafts have the same mechanical properties, materials, and aesthetics as those made by traditional methods.
The new process will allow catheter manufacturers to speed up development of new devices by enabling TE’s engineering teams to iterate designs more quickly. It may also create opportunities to introduce new catheter constructions and device architectures that are impractical to manufacture using conventional techniques.
Pat Duane, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Medical business, said the work reflects TE’s continued focus on advancing manufacturing innovation to help customers develop increasingly sophisticated minimally invasive medical devices. Duane added that additive manufacturing technologies have the potential to expand design possibilities, accelerate development, and support the future of catheter manufacturing.
Bernard McDermott, Medical Engineering Fellow, said this process, along with complementary disruptive processes in development, will result in a paradigm shift in catheter manufacturing for customers. McDermott noted that it has the potential to significantly reduce product costs, simplify supply chains, and have a positive environmental impact.
