Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that need to need to meet demand for single-use surgical instruments especially where hospital acquired infections (HAI) are at an all-time high, should work with contract manufacturer organizations (CMOs) that offer a variety of cost-effective, high quality tubing solutions. An experienced partner can help with producing the most cost-effective and efficient product that will be profitable.
-Steve Santoro, Micro
Though elective surgeries have declined during the pandemic, hospitals still need to re-stock their ORs with medical instruments. In particular, the demand for single-use surgical devices – scissors, graspers, forceps, and dissectors – is expected to increase as these can help hospitals reduce the spread of infection.
A critical component of these instruments is the shaft, and manufacturers must adhere to strict diameter requirements for critical-to-function subassemblies. Stainless steel tubing is typically used to make these shafts and they may be manufactured from drawn tubing or by using an innovative stamped-and-rolled technique. Features and volume help determine which approach will be better suited for each project.
Drawn tubing allows for better control of product features such as straightness or diameter consistency, particularly when tightly controlled dimensions are required throughout the entire length of the metal tube shaft. This method of tubing also produces a more robust result when creating specific end features, such as expansions or reductions, flaring and flanging, and end sharpening. Drawn tubing enables other processes, such as piercing and slotting, precision sharpening, electropolishing and laser welding, coupled with customer assemblies and environmentally friendly cleaning systems.