High-precision Variable Durometer Tubing
PT&C™ specializes in providing high-precision variable durometer tubing and assembly solutions for manufacturers of catheters, stent delivery systems, and other minimally invasive diagnostic devices.
The high-precision variable durometer tubing features a linear hardness transition from a soft distal end to a rigid proximal end, achieved through one-step extrusion processing. This eliminates the need for traditional methods that use a melting machine to fuse tubes of different hardness levels, forming the outer insulation layer of a catheter. As a result, it significantly reduces costs and improves product yield.
These tubes offer flexible customization in terms of performance, coating color, specifications, and inner/outer diameter options, meeting the diverse application needs of high-end medical devices.
Currently, variable durometer tubing has been successfully applied in coronary stent delivery systems, heart valve delivery systems, peripheral vascular delivery systems, and neurovascular interventional catheters.
Performance
- Gradual Hardness Transition – Provides a smooth, linear transition from a soft distal end to a rigid proximal end, optimizing flexibility and pushability.
- One-Step Extrusion Process – Eliminates the need for bonding or welding different hardness segments, improving structural integrity.
- Enhanced Kink Resistance – Reduces the risk of kinking or buckling, ensuring better catheter performance during navigation.
- Improved Torque Control – Enables precise maneuverability for minimally invasive procedures.
- Biocompatibility – Manufactured using medical-grade materials, ensuring safety for long-term implantation or contact with bodily fluids.
Delivery
- Reduced Production Costs – One-step extrusion lowers material waste and labor costs compared to traditional assembly methods.
- High Yield & Consistency – Automated processing improves reproducibility and minimizes defects.
- Faster Production Cycles – Streamlined manufacturing reduces lead time for medical device production.
- Scalability – Suitable for high-volume production while maintaining precision and quality.
Customization
- Variable Inner & Outer Diameters – Designed to meet specific catheter design requirements.
- Multiple Material Options – Available in Pebax®, TPU, Nylon, EFEP, and other medical-grade polymers.
- Custom Coatings & Colors – Options for hydrophilic, antimicrobial, and radiopaque coatings for enhanced visibility and performance.
- Segmented or Continuous Hardness Gradation – Allows for precise control of mechanical properties.
- Multi-Lumen or Reinforced Structures – Additional features like braid or coil reinforcements can be incorporated.
Technical Data | Unit | Typical Value |
Material | Pebax® (Polyether Block Amide) | |
Durometer Range | Shore A, | Soft Distal End: Shore A 30–Shore A 60 |
Wall thickness | mm (inch) | Varies based on the tubing’s application, ranging from 0.1 mm (0.0039") to 2 mm (0.0787") |
Dimensions | mm (inch) | Inner Diameter (ID): Customizable depending on the application (typically 0.2 mm (0.0079") to 12 mm （0.4724“）) |
Color | Black, blue, green, yellow, purple, etc,. | |
Mechanical Properties | Tensile Strength: Typically >20 MPa | |
Performance Characteristics | mm (inch) | Kink Resistance: Highly resistant to kinking, especially in softer distal areas. |
Coating Options | Hydrophilic Coatings: To reduce friction and improve ease of insertion. | |
Manufacturing Methods | Co-Extrusion: Allows for the simultaneous extrusion of materials with different durometers, achieving a variable hardness profile along the length of the tubing. | |
Certifications | ISO 13485: For medical device manufacturing quality standards | |
Safety testing | Testing for 233 hazardous substances under REACH regulations. | |
Environmental protection | RoHS Compliant | |
Safety (61 items of PFAS) | PFAS-Free |
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