Medical device and componentry, ranging from needle/catheter assemblies to more complex designs, continue to explode in popularity and functionality. Recent pandemic events have, of course, contributed to a huge upsurge in urgency and demand for hypodermic needles. The call for high performance and reliability has not abated, but there is now the additional requirement for high speed and cost efficiency at a level never before seen.
LED curable medical grade adhesives are excellent alternatives to two-component or alternative cure methods where high-volume throughput combined with low energy and maintenance requirements can be paramount. In addition, new developments and chemistries have been able to minimize or eliminate some of the shortcomings of LED technology that limited its use in the past.
LED Curing Advantages/Limitations
The method of curing medical adhesives using LED light sources has a number of potential advantages but has also been accompanied by certain limitations in the past.
Advantages of LED curing include single, defined wavelength curing with
- consistent and repeatable cure
- lower energy requirements likely
- fewer or no hazardous wavelengths generated
- less heat generation
- longer bulb life and lower maintenance costs
- Low manufacturing costs, costs suitable for disposable and reusable devices
Past limitations included
- a limited choice of coatings and photo-initiators
- difficulty curing on thicker coatings
- lower energy transmission (Lights must remain very close to the surface for cure to take place.)
Advances on a number of fronts have allowed for more widespread use of LED curing technology. The first is the development of more active and effective photo-initiators. A second advancement is the substantial improvement in the power of commercial LEDs which provides for higher energies and faster curing than previous generation LED lighting.
AXIS Medical Assembly Adhesives
Chase Corporation’s polymer chemists have taken advantage of recent advances in photo-initiator technology and combined them with the company’s five decades of experience in adhesive and coating developments to devise a full range of products designed for assembling medical devices safely, quickly, and cost effectively. This product line is offered under the AXIS brand name and consists of a group of products that have been fully tested for safety and biocompatibility and offer a wide range of applications.
As a supplier of all major forms and chemistries of conformal coatings, Chase Corporation and HumiSeal® can help you with an unbiased approach to evaluating your application and process. We’ll show you how to maximize efficiency, minimize cost, and improve product reliability. Our outstanding manufacturing and technical support groups can provide your organization with reliable global supply, unmatched quality, and superior technical support.
If you have questions on how to select the right adhesive for a medical device, please contact us today to discuss your application.
