What is a Reinforced Multi-Lumen Tube?
A reinforced multi-lumen tube is a multi-lumen shaft that has an encapsulated braid or coil structure in the wall of the tube. Multi-lumen tubing offers two or more passageways through which management of fluids, solids, mechanical, or electrical delivery within minimally invasive devices can be achieved in a single extrusion. Dialysis catheters, for example, allow for blood to flow to and from the dialysis machine through separate lumens.
Why would you chose reinforced multi-lumen tube technology?
Reinforcement is incorporated into the catheter design when the polymer properties alone will not meet the performance requirements. The addition of reinforcement is most commonly used to improve burst, torque, crush, kink and radial strength.
Prior to coil and braid reinforced multi-lumen tubing technology, minimally invasive gastrointestinal procedures used a large, wire reinforced single lumen tube in which many smaller single lumen tubes were inserted to create multiple working channels. A wire reinforced, multi-lumen extrusion increases the working space within the device by consolidating independent extrusions.
This gives design engineers more procedural options within the same footprint. It also reduces the complexity and decreases your cost for the final device assembly.
What options are available with Putnam coil and braid reinforced multi-lumen tubes?
When designing a reinforced shaft, you can choose the type of metal or polymer, the size, and physical properties that best fit your requirements. The location of the braid or coil in the tube can also be customized to meet your design specifications. Reinforcements are available in coil or braid form, depending on therapeutic procedure requirements. Braided reinforcements increase burst strength and torque transmission, whereas coil reinforcements provide resistance to kinking of the tube.
What medical devices and procedures is reinforced multi-lumen tubing commonly used in?
A variety of medical applications can benefit from reinforced multi-lumen tubing, for example:
- Reinforced endoscopic tube devices leverage the benefits of wire reinforced, multi-lumen tubing for minimally invasive gastrointestinal procedures.
- Dialysis catheters allow for blood to flow to and from the dialysis machine through separate lumens.
- Intravascular catheters are designed with coil reinforcement so the shaft can be bent at sharp angles through vascular passageways without collapsing.
Talking with a Putnam sales representative is the best way to discuss the range of options that will meet your device specifications.
What ISO certifications does Putnam Plastics have?
Putnam’s leading-edge medical tubing manufacturing facility is ISO 13485:2016 certified, and our dedicated ISO Class 8 clean room meets stringent quality control guidelines—so regulatory red tape doesn’t slow your product launch.
Why is Putnam the best choice for braid or coil reinforced multi-lumen tubing?
As experts in high-tech extrusion for minimally invasive medical devices, Putnam puts over 40 years of custom manufacturing experience to design and engineer high-performing medical tubing to meet your functional requirements. You get your most demanding requirements satisfied—with good speed to market and competitive rates.
