What is printed catheter tubing?
Printing on medical tubing includes any form of inscribing or marking on the shaft. Catheter devices often require custom printing along the length or around the circumference.The markings may be in the form of lines, block, numbers, and/or letters of any combination. Instructional markings, device company information, or other information may also be required on the shafts.
What state-of-the-art technologies does Putnam use for printing on medical tubing?
Plasma Etching: Plasma heat surface treatment equipment allows for preparation of hard surfaces of resins such as PEEK and polyimide before printing. A variable temperature oven with a conveyor for ink curing is utilized for after printing.
Pad Printing: Pad printing is frequently used to print graphics on the exterior surfaces of minimally invasive medical devices.
- Strong adhesion of the ink to the device component is critical.
- Non-invasive vascular devices require integrity of the pad printed graphics for the proper identification and use of the device by clinicians.
- Invasive devices require that particles of ink are not released from the device into the bloodstream which can lead to serious side effects.
What are the advantages of having printed catheter tubing from Putnam?
As minimally invasive devices continue to increase in use and applications, the demand for printed catheter tubing used in these devices has also increased. At the same time, medical device companies are increasingly looking for vendors who are able to provide multiple services, thereby reducing the number of vendors in the supply chain and reducing overall expenditures.
At Putnam, our diverse operations specifically designed for catheter components—such as printing, welding and overmolding—are all under one roof, eliminating additional costs.
What are some of the options available for medical tube printing?
Putnam offers finishing services such as printing for brand designations and functional markings such as measurement lines or orientational instructions.
Dedicated pad printers are capable of 360 degree printing and multiple color printing
What are some ink and material options?
All inks and primers are approved for medical use.
- Radiopaque inks are available.
- Putnam offers a wide range of colors.
Which medical device tubes typically need printing?
Almost all common and complex medical devices have some form of labeling or marking on the shaft.
What ISO certification does Putnam have? What about quality assurance testing and reporting?
Putnam’s leading-edge medical manufacturing facility is ISO 13485:2016 certified. Our dedicated clean room manufacturing space follows strict ISO standards.
Putnam’s printing operation is in a climate controlled room and has the capability of maintaining temperature and humidity to ensure repeatable printing processes.
Why is Putnam the best choice for printed catheter tubing?
Putnam Plastics has an extensive range of printers, and decades of experience applying ink to various substrates. As leader in medical extrusion technology, we have all our operations in-house to control the process and to give you better speed-to-market. To speak with a Putnam engineer or sales representative about your multi-layered medical tubing needs, click the button below.
