Covert ablation: Medical Manufacturing

The next generation of Nitinol-based microscale medical implants, such as heart valves, neurovascular stents and bioabsorbable scaffolds, or stents, will require a true athermal laser machining process that doesn’t create any heat-affected zone (HAZ) and operates at a speed that doesn’t make the process cost-prohibitive, according to Norman Noble Inc. The medical device contract manufacturer developed the Noble S.T.E.A.L.T.H. (System To Enable Ablation Laser Technology Haz-free) to achieve those requirements, which other technologies cannot, the company stated.

The new ultrashort-pulse laser system is not only faster than most heat-inducing lasers, it is reportedly the fastest athermal laser process. Chris Noble, the company’s vice president and COO stated that the laser process produces higher quality cut surfaces in one-third the production times compared to the alternatives.

“The science for medical implants, particularly bioabsorbable scaffolds and Nitinol-based microimplants, is in a state of rapid development,” Noble said. “Our customers had a growing need for HAZ-free laser technology to enable machining of their newest medtech implant designs.”