Flexible Catheter Shafts

We have experience in laser cutting a wide variety of patterns that can provide varying degrees of flexibility and strength in hypotube shaft components, in lengths up to six feet or longer, for a broad range of catheters and other minimal-access medical devices.
Examples:
Continuous Spiral patterns (laser-cut coils)
Interrupted Spirals
Interlocking Spirals
Hinged patterns (limited degrees of freedom)
Choice of laser-cutting pattern depends on design requirements, such as bend radius, axial and torsional strength, fatigue cycling, material properties, and tube size.
We can assist with Design For Manufacturability (DFM) review, and with quick-turn prototyping to facilitate design testing.
See the photographs for examples of flexible laser-cut patterns