Alberox Products To Showcase Metal Injection Molding Components For Surgical Instrumentation And Implantable Feedthrus

New York - The Alberox Products Division of Morgan Advanced Ceramics (MAC) will be an exhibitor at MD&M East, held June 11-14, 2007 in New York, NY in booth #858. An array of materials for medical applications will be on display, including the company's metal injection molding (MIM) components for surgical instrumentation and ceramic to metal assemblies for implantable feedthrus.

Using Alberox's MIM technology, complex metal shapes are formed from hardened steel molds, making it ideal for the manufacture of reliable and durable surgical tools, including laparoscopic parts such as graspers, dissectors, and instrument handles. The molding process offers the ability to mold cross-drilled holes, radii, blind holes and other difficult-to-machine features with tight tolerances. Parts can often be manufactured in a single process to create a net shape without the need for secondary machining.

Compared with traditional methods, such as machining, investment casting and stamping, MIM provides a cost-effective manufacturing process for medical components with small, complex geometries. Alberox's MIM technology can manufacture parts in mere seconds, making it ideal for medium-to-high volume production runs of 10,000 to over 1,000,000 pieces.

Also on showcase will be the company's implantable feedthrus. Alberox has been working with medical equipment manufacturers for more than 40 years in developing a range of different sized feed-thrus. These hermetic feed-thrus are comprised of 100% biocompatible, corrosion-resistant materials, making them ideally suited for a variety of medical implant applications, including use in neurostimulators, internal bone growth stimulators, drug delivery devices, pacemakers, defibrillators and cochlear implants.

These innovative ceramic-to-metal seal assemblies offer a more robust bond and higher reliability than traditional glass seals. The superior electrical properties of the alumina ceramic and the company's application engineering expertise allow for the development of smaller, custom-designed feed-thrus. Alberox provides custom-design engineering support from concept to production, meeting the unique specifications of medical device manufacturers. This design flexibility allows for cost-competitive manufacturing through a consistent repeatable manufacturing process.

SOURCE: Morgan Advanced Ceramics