Acetal Catheter Cores

Wayne, Pa. (May 23, 2018) — Dunn Industries, a Tekni-Plex business, is highlighting its acetal Catheter Core technology used to manufacture minimally invasive catheter shafts at MD&M East, June 12-14, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City.  Dunn is exhibiting in its sister business unit’s (Natvar) booth 2039.

Medical catheter manufacturers throughout the world use Dunn’s Catheter Cores to retain critical lumen tolerances during extrusion, braiding, coiling and jacketing processes. Low friction material properties and ultra-smooth surfaces allow these cores to be easily removed after catheter shaft assembly. They are available in precise diameters from 0.020 to 0.250 inches with tolerances as low as +/- 0.0005 inches.

Dunn’s proprietary process is used to precision extrude a solid acetal rod, which is supplied on continuous spools for ease-of-use during catheter processing operations. The cores maintain critical inside wall dimensions during initial extrusion of the inner polymer layer, application of the reinforcing fiber layer and extrusion or ”jacketing” of the outer layer.

Reinforced tubing is frequently used for diagnostic and guide catheters, high-pressure contrast injection tubing, and other minimally invasive devices.  Adding reinforcement to the plastic tube wall improves torque transmission, kink resistance, column strength and internal pressure resistance.

Dunn also manufactures custom medical tubing for diagnostic and interventional devices from a wide range of thermoplastics.  These include polyether block amides (PEBAs), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), polyamides, polyolefins and much more.  Tubes are available with diameters as small as 0.008 inches (outer diameter) x 0.004-inches (inner diameter), and diameters as large as 0.480 inches.  Configurations include single and multi-lumen, coextruded layers and stripes, and longitudinal wire or fiber reinforced.

Natvar is recognized as a leader in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyolefin and TPE tubing solutions used for medical equipment and therapeutic medical devices. Its recently-launched microextrusion and silicone tubing solutions will also be featured at MD&M East.

About Dunn

Dunn is a leading supplier of thermoplastic tubes and solid cores for medical device applications throughout the world. Its extruded tubes are used to prototype and produce advanced catheter shaft assemblies and minimally invasive device components. Dunn’s Catheter Core technology allows catheter manufacturers to retain exact lumen dimensions throughout production and assembly operations. For more information visit www.dunnindustries.com.

About Tekni-Plex, Inc.

Tekni-Plex is a globally-integrated company focused on developing and manufacturing innovative packaging materials, medical compounds and precision-crafted medical tubing solutions for some of the most well-known names in the medical, pharmaceutical, personal care, household and industrial, and food and beverage industries. Tekni-Plex is headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania and operates manufacturing sites across eight countries worldwide to meet the needs of its global customers.  For more information visit www.tekni-plex.com.