Medical technology is now also reliant on water jet cutting

Micro-water jet systems deliver great precision

In the past water jet cutting was regarded as unsuitable in medical technology because its tolerances were too high, which meant a lack of reproducibility. Micro-water jet cutting can now compensate for this problem, making the technology interesting because cutting with water does not change structures. This is mainly due to the fact that water does not apply any thermal stresses to the material. This is because laser cutting or erosion processes use heat to make changes to the material surface. This may adversely affect the bio-compatibility of the material or result in a lack of elasticity because the heat may cause the material to become brittle. Very small markers, implants or templates and tools can be produced using the micro-water jet process.

Cutting stents, heart valves or endoscopes with a water jet

The advancing development of water jet cutting systems means that they can tackle ever more complex operations. In fact, water jet cutting systems with multi-dimensional mobile cutting heads can also be used to produce around parts such as a hip joint shell. Industry insiders and research institutes are forecasting that water jet cutting will grow rapidly in medical technology. Water jet cutting is particularly suitable for niche production processes in which special materials, alloys or heat-sensitive materials are used.

Work in medical technology is wide-ranging

Medical technology engineers work on solutions and possibilities for treating diseases. Medical findings are linked to technical solutions. Medical technology is used for the diagnosis, therapy, care and rehabilitation of patients. Medical devices are just as much part of this sector as implants or tools such as hearing aids and insulin pumps. Medical technology also includes devices for imaging processes. The production of artificial organs is a new area of research. The field of medical technology is a massive one with an annual global turnover of around 25 billion euros.

Find out more about what water jet cutting can do in medical technology. Write a mail to info@gkteso.de.