Micro-Pullwinding - An Automated Production Technology for Medical Devices

This paper shows the development of an automated production technology for MRI-safe medical devices made from fiber-reinforced plastics. To meet the requirements for minimal invasive medical devices, the new micro-pullwinding technology has been developed. This technology allows the adjustment of tensile, bending and torsional stiffness and strength of miniaturized fiberreinforced profiles independent from each other. It allows to vary the stiffness along the length of the profile without interrupting the process. This manufacturing technology was developed, built up and tested by the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen, Germany. A guide wire based on a profile made with the micro-pullwinding technology was developed in cooperation with industrial p artners and medical experts. The performance of the guide wire regarding the mechanical properties, visibility in MRI and usability was successfully investigated.