Medical device manufacturing is a very specialized field. Their manufacturing requirements are rigorous and specialized. Outlining the advantages and the possible applications is critical when determining how to decrease the cost of effectively marking medical implants and devices while still retaining impeccably high standards.
Laser Marking is durable. Any marks made by a laser marking system - whether it’s a logo, a serial number or data matrix codes - last for a long time.
Laser Marking resists high temperatures. Many medical devices are subjected to high temperatures because they get sterilized on a daily basis. Information “written” on a surgical device with a laser marker will not fade or become marred.
Laser Marking is as bio-compatible as the device’s base material. It is safe because no solvents, inks or acids are used.
Laser Marking causes no surface degradation. There are no burrs or grooves caused by the laser marking process.
Laser Marking puts out minimal heat during the marking. Implants are not compromised in any way.
Laser Marking can be used on metals and non-metals. Laser marking can be used on ceramics, titanium, plastics and stainless steel.
Laser Marking is fast and user-friendly. Up to 1,000 characters can be marked using the laser, and is software-driven.
Laser Marking is cost-efficient. There are no “consumables” when using a laser marking system.
On metallic components, tempered colors are used to do the laser marking. The device’s surface is heated, ensuring the metal’s surface remains smooth. And there is room for a machine-readable dot matrix on even the most minute of surfaces. Text, serial numbers and other markings make the identification sharp, clear and detailed.
When laser marking plastic components, pigments or dyes are layered within the plastic. Just like the metallic devices, the surface remains the same, unmarred from the laser marking.
Of course, safety is the primary concern in the medical field and when people’s health and welfare are an issue, traceability of medical devices is crucial. Laser marking makes tracing a device an easy task.
If a manufacturer’s fault is determined, all of the products possibly involved could be recalled, and it would be expedited due to the laser marking. And if a particular batch could be pinpointed when investigating where the fault lies, because of laser marking, tracing can be done on only that specific batch.
The result? Further accidents are avoided and liability is reduced…
Even though medical implants have “interesting” and challenging shapes, making them difficult to handle, they can easily be laser marked using a laser marking system.
Space is extremely limited, which is another challenge posed by medical implants. The laser is able to mark high resolution ID matrix codes, dimensions, part numbers and placement details on the implant, which is beneficial to surgeons.
And because there is no direct physical contact with the implants, the medical implants experience no “wear” when they get marked by the laser.
Laser marking and laser engraving systems are a fast and clean technology that is rapidly replacing older laser technologies. Direct laser part marking has now become a common process in the medical device marketplace. It offers a non-contact, abrasion-resistant, permanent laser mark onto almost any type of material.
High speed, high precision, micro-marking and/or engraving of part information, readable alpha-numerics, barcodes or Data-Matrix™, serial numbers, corporate logos, etc. are possible on a wide range of component parts.
To learn more about medical device laser marking, contact LaserStar Technologies today!