Putnam Plastics expands size range for medical peek tubing

PEEK has become well regarded in the medical industry due to its biocompatibility. Additionally the polymer’s flexural modulus of 595,000 psi (4,102 MPa), nearly 10% higher than polyimide, provides excellent pushability and buckling resistance for thin wall tubes used in minimally invasive devices. Unlike polyimide, PEEK is melt processible and can be extruded in large diameter, thin wall tubes.

Putnam’s single lumen PEEK extrusions include vascular catheters with diameters as small as 0.010 inches (0.254 mm) and wall thicknesses of 0.002 inches (0.050 mm). Larger extrusions for non-vascular applications, such as Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopy Surgery devices, are available in diameters up to 1 inch (25.4 mm) with 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) wall thicknesses. Thin wall PEEK tubing can be manufactured semi-transparent or in custom colors. Putnam also offers plasma enhanced printing on PEEK tubing.

“Processing temperatures for PEEK are much higher than traditional catheter materials such as urethanes and polyamides,” said Larry Alpert, New Product Development Manager at Putnam. “Few companies have the temperature capabilities or controls to extrude PEEK and those that do often focus on either small diameter tubes or large, solid shapes since they are somewhat easier than large, thin wall PEEK extrusions. Larger tubes provide new possibilities for emerging medical devices.”