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Plastics gain new importance in medicine
Due to their excellent forming qualities, low weight and favorable economics, plastics continue to gain importance in medical technology. As a result, the demand for suitable processing methods such as laser welding is increasing. The essential advantages of laser technology, e.g., in microfluids, are : no involvement of supplementary work materials such as adhesives, no additional abrasion impurities, the most flexibility and quality. Due to microscopic requirements, Nd: YAG lasers with highest brilliance are used. Look among the mixers and microfilters on display to find examples of plastic welding.
Sensors in medical technology must be small and antiseptically encapsulated as well as have a high performance. Laser welding is ideal for this purpose. Since the laser beam applies the fusion heat extremely precisely, the welding seams may be drawn close to the temperature and vibration sensitive sensor and electronic components without affecting the surface quality. In some cases, metal wires are embedded in plastics using laser beams strictly speaking, this is not welding but nevertheless a combination that must meet certain stability requirements. Membranes, sensors and electronics play a decisive role in many implants. As a rule, they must be welded or encapsulated using microseams without affecting actual functions. These are also ideal situations for laser welding. An example is the processing of hearing aids in this case, membranes are welded so that the very small components are connected without heat distortion but the mechanical requirements for stability and density are still ensured. For example, Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG ( Starnberg), a company of the Rofin group, and others are presenting laser systems for these uses at ComPaMED.
A brilliant future lies ahead for nanomedicine.
According to research by the market research company Frost & Sullivan, nanomedicine faces a great future. Rajaram Sankaran, an analyst at Frost & Sullivan states : “Given the possibility of directing active therapeutic agents directly to their target and, consequently, of reducing side effects, nanomedicine might significantly increase the quality of life of many patients”. Currently, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies are conducting intensive research on these new methods of drug administration. Nanotechnology has clearly developed further in ComPaMED’s area. Moller Medical GmbH & Co. KG (Fulda) has steadily developed its offer in this field. Today, nanocomposite coatings with a wide range of properties hydrophilic, conductive, transparent, corrosion resistant are available for the most varied substrates.
This type of surface modification with high chemical resistance and temperature durability (up to 6000 C) is currently available for steel, aluminum, brass, copper, glass and plastics (ABS, PMMA, PC and PA). The coating is applied using the solgel process, which has acquired great importance in nanotechnology. Sabine Stein-Wehinger, who is in charge of the Coatings division at Moller, envisions the future: “ Our next objective is antibacterial coating based on
nanosilver”.
There can be no doubt: small to tiny components , functional surfaces and innovative materials will play an important role at ComPaMED 2004. Giesen pronounces : “ We have reacted to this development and together with IVAM, Germany’s association for microtechnology, we are hosting a thematic show and the forum “Microtechnology and Medical Technology’ again this year”. On November 24 and 25 , leading representatives of the “miniature arts” will give about 20 lectures at this event. They will cover the entire exciting field of medical micro technology ranging from legal questions regarding product liability and market assessments to novel sensors and transponders for telemedicine.
More information of ComPaMED 2004 and MEDICA 2004 as well as the exhibitors are available at :
http://www.compamed.de
and
http://www.medica.de
(This article was written with editorial support from Klaus Jopp, an independent Hamburg based author specializing in science and technology.)
Messe Dusseldorf GmbH
ComPaMED 2004 Press Office
Martin-Ulf Koch / Larissa Browa
Tel : +49 (211) 4560 444 - 549
Fax : 0211-4560-8548
E-mail : KochM@messe-duesseldorf.de
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