TekniPlex will be discussing small-diameter, thin-wall thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) tubing. These tubes can be made with outside diameters as small as 0.45mm (0.0177 inches) and walls as thin as 0.09mm (0.0035 inches) and are available with up to six radiopaque longitudinal stripes embedded in the wall. These stripes provide visibility under X-ray for vascular applications. TPU tubing is commonly used for indwelling, intravenous catheters since the material softens at body temperature and provides greater patient comfort than other polymers.
TekniPlex will also be featuring its medical-grade silicone tubing solutions which are manufactured in a clean-room environment by a subsidiary in Suzhou, China. TekniPlex’s tubing is ideal for applications such as volumetric infusion pumps which meter fluid delivery. Custom silicone tubing is manufactured with inside diameters ranging from 0.2 to 25 mm (0.008 to 0.984 inches) and wall thicknesses ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 mm (0.004 to 0.118 inches). These tubes are available with tolerances as low as +/- 0.03 mm (+/- 0.001 inch).
Additionally. TekniPlex also extrudes small diameter, thin wall Pebax tubing. This is the material of choice for interventional devices such as catheters used in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures. The company offers a multilayer option featuring an inner layer of polyethylene which reduces the coefficient of friction. This is ideal for tubing that needs to move over guidewires to deploy balloons and stents. Multilayer Pebax tubes are available in diameters as small as 0.4064 mm (0.0160 inches) with walls as thin as 0.0635mm (0.005 inches).
“Sourcing high-tolerance tubing from suppliers that are located close to medical device manufacturing facilities helps ensure stable supply and short lead time. This is particularly important during the current pandemic when everyone is trying to meet compressed production deadlines. Our Suzhou facility is well situated to meet the demands of manufacturing locations in China,” said Michael Luo, general manager, TekniPlex’s China operation.
About TekniPlex, Inc.
TekniPlex is a globally-integrated company focused on developing and manufacturing products for a wide variety of end markets, including medical, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, personal care, household and industrial. TekniPlex is headquartered in Wayne, PA, and operates manufacturing sites across 10 countries worldwide to meet the needs of its global customers. For more information visit .
