Spring innovations for the Medical Industry

Innovations in materials and spring manufacturing technology on show at Medtec by Lee Spring will continue to expand applications for the company's stock and custom designed spring products in the medical sector. Lightweight, non-magnetic springs, miniature types in high performance alloys and stainless steel low pressure compression springs, are being used on products for the delivery of medication, in surgical implants, tools, equipment and wheelchairs. Meeting demands for miniaturisation within the industry are Lee Spring's Bantam™ Mini compression springs which feature wire sizes down to 0.102mm (0 .004ins) - slightly thicker than a human hair. Manufactured in non-magnetic Elgiloy®, a cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy known for its high strength and superior corrosion resistance, the springs can withstand temperatures up to 454°C (850°F). Custom designs can be produced in other alloys. The lightweight, non-magnetic, dielectric insulation and corrosion resistance properties of Lee Spring's LeeP™ plastic composite compression springs created a surge of interest from the medical industry when they were introduced last year. Combining the strength of metal with the special attributes of high performance, engineered thermoplastics these springs offer a unique set of characteristics. Strength to weight ratios are significantly different to metal springs while mechanical and thermal stability remain stable at temperatures up to 170oC (340oF). The springs also offer low flammability and are recyclable as well as RoHS and REACH compliant. Six colour coded strengths are offered in standard sizes and custom design options are available to meet specific performance requirements. Applications for Bantam™ Mini springs and LeeP™ plastic composite springs are expected in imaging and X-ray equipment as well as pharmaceutical delivery products. Compression springs are the most common type used in medical and surgical equipment for fluid and motion control. Lee Spring has over 3500 Type 316 stainless steel stock compression springs in its portfolio of 17,000 plus different products. Design and manufacture Alongside its stock range of compression, extension, torsion, wave, constant force springs and spring washers, Lee Spring also designs and produces a huge variety of custom springs, including wire forms, washers, stampings and assemblies. The creation of 'specials' to meet the specific requirements of the medical industry draws upon the unique experience of the company's spring engineers and technicians. Lee Spring's production capability can handle wire diameters up to 15.88 mm (0.625 ins) and includes in-house plating, ultrasonic cleaning, passivation, powder coating, heat treatment, polishing and assembly. Material options, in addition to those mentioned earlier, include music wire and a range of alloys including stainless steel 316 and 17-7, Inconel 600, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper and Hastelloy®. Lee Spring has ISO 9001 2000 recognition and is committed to RoHS standards at its seven plants in the Europe, Asia, North & South America. Applications In Europe Lee Spring's torsion and extension springs are used in pharmaceutical delivery systems for fluid control valves used to deliver intravenous fluids, while standard compression springs find use in insulin dispensing automatic injection pens to control fluid delivery. The company's Lite™ Pressure compression springs are used in pre-loaded syringes for the delivery of medication and in anaesthetic equipment where low pressure is required. Custom compression springs have also been designed to aid the dispensing of pills. In medical equipment, compression springs are used in endoscopic biopsy devices for accurate tissue sampling. Surgical tools, for example staple guns, utilize many types of compression springs while surgical equipment applications include suction lines for body fluid recovery. Read more here or watch the video from last week's Medtec show