Guide

Over the decades, medical instruments have evolved from crudely crafted and rustic devices into what many might feel are modern works of manufacturing art. As the techniques of industry changed in line with new and tighter regulations, the resulting products became more precise, more reliable, and definitely more sanitary.

In the medical industry, sanitation is king. The drive to maintain a sterile environment regulates everything from the clothing worn by staff, to the materials used in the manufacture of the equipment that everyday saves countless lives all over the world. From the smallest needle to the most complex scanning device, every part must be diligently designed with sterility in mind.

Many of the instruments used in the medical industry are produced using the deep drawn process, as the characteristics of deep drawn parts match perfectly with the stringent requirements for medical use. In order to meet sterility demands, the materials chosen for deep drawing medical components are also carefully considered.

The term ‘stainless steel’ is one commonly heard when discussing manufacturing, although it can sometimes be misleading. There are many types of stainless steel available, and not all are suitable for medical use. Stainless steel gains its desired properties from the introduction of nickel to the composition, an element that can cause allergies in many humans. A unique alloy of stainless, called “surgical steel” contains very limited amounts of nickel yet maintains the corrosion resistant properties that make stainless a reliable material for deep drawing medical components.

Another common material used in the manufacture of medical devices is copper. While copper is sometimes mistakenly considered a less refined metal, modern alloy compositions allow for the production of components that meet the rigorous sanitation requirements yet retain the many desirable properties of pure copper. As a material, copper is naturally anti-microbial, meaning simply that biological microbes (bacteria) are unable to live and multiply on the surface, which helps in maintaining a sterile environment.

When the device requires exceptionally high strength, titanium is certainly the most popular choice. As a material, titanium is corrosion resistant, acid resistant, and exhibits extremely high tensile strength. Deep drawing medical components using titanium creates products that have a highly rigid natural grain structure, which is further enhanced by the work hardening of the deep draw process. Titanium products are well known to survive extensive lifetimes even in the harshest, most abusive environment; the human body.

When it comes to the medical industry, there are few places more intimidating than the dentist’s office. No matter what gizmo the dentist is using, to the patient it no doubt appears absolutely medieval. To us, the strange looking contraptions used to peer and poke around in our mouths have the ominous look of something intended for far more sinister purpose.

After all of the fuss however, we all discover very quickly that in the hands of a dedicated professional, these devices are important tools in the care and protection of our precious, and only, set of teeth. The craftsmanship and quality of the delicate instruments might not be foremost in our minds, but they definitely are to the manufacturers who create them, as well as the skilled hands that use them every day.

The deep draw process has long been used in the production of the casings and protective shells for many of these delicate precision instruments. With a wide selection of available materials, highly accurate tolerances, and a vast array of possible finishes and coatings, deep drawn products have become one of the premier choices for manufacturing medical and dental instruments.

Dentists of today have a variety of sophisticated and elegant tools at their disposal. As a prime example, the advent of laser technology has provided new and innovative methods for performing exceedingly detailed procedures that previously would have required invasive surgery. Developing a laser system that is controllable enough for surgical work was no small task, however. Designers knew that the tool casings would need to be precise, durable, ergonomic, and constructed from sophisticated materials, all at a cost that made economic sense.

As a deep drawn product, the new laser technology devices became reality. With the ability to craft high precision casings from a variety of rare and exotic materials, quickly and with low cost, the application of deep drawn technology has made even intricate devices such as these both possible and affordable.

Deep drawn products have found their way into the medical and dental industry worldwide. The speed and low cost-per-part of the deep draw process provides excellent economic value to the industry, while the ability to craft high precision components from a host of different materials provides the versatility needed to remain a preferred provider.