Laser marking can be applied to the medical field

The medical industry has used laser technology to mark medical equipment for many years. The reliability and durability of laser marking have brought great benefits to medical device companies. However, laser marking and engraving still have room to improve and help the medical industry to control quality and increase product production.

I write these demanding application reports that are comparable to going to the kitchen when you are hungry: the food in the kitchen smells appetizing, but once you really touch the jar, you will be criticized; the attraction of eating The force still exists, even stronger, but the basic needs have not been met. The application of laser material processing in the medical industry is also similar to this: there are many exciting applications and dazzling innovations, but it is impossible to reveal detailed information and provide exemplary images, and the confidentiality agreement makes it impossible to penetrate the nose more. Go in the jar. Nevertheless, this article attempts to outline the most advanced processing and innovative developments.

Classic application

Until recently, the classic application of laser marking in the medical industry was still marking on stainless steel surgical and dental equipment. These marks are easier to read, and even the number of sterilizations can be increased by a hundredfold. The most important thing is that it is marked on an absolutely smooth surface to prevent bacteria from sticking to the surface. The marked surface cannot damage the corrosion-resistant chemical passivation treatment, so that the anti-corrosion coating will always exist even after several years of use and countless cleaning and disinfection.

Ulrich Ofer, Vice President of Marketing and Applications of FOBA, said: "After many experiments and tests by our own and external laboratories, the solutions introduced by the application development department now meet these strict requirements. Solutions suitable for surgical equipment are also applicable For bone plates, bone screws, high-impact polystyrene and artificial joints. In addition to stainless steel, other materials suitable for processing include titanium, silver and ceramics. In short, the problem can be attributed to the selection of the most suitable laser wavelength according to different materials And specific laser parameters."

Archived application

In the medical industry, laser marking has also become the preferred marking method because it ensures the high quality and precision of the marking, the reliability of the system and the excellent repeatability. Manufacturers in the medical field must strictly abide by the established process. Therefore, if the recognized marking template is modified, it must be recorded in detail. Manufacturers are in an advantageous position if they have equipment that can repeat accuracy with the help of a vision system. Some suppliers have already provided marking machines equipped with integrated vision systems that can detect changes in component positions, detect defective parts, and automatically adjust related markings. In this way, there is no longer or very little need for the manufacturer to adjust the marking work, thus maintaining the existing process and documentation.

In the working area of the FOBA machine, there are marking heads, IMP (Intelligent Mark Positioning) lighting equipment and parts. IMP has been inspected and tested on more than 100 devices to detect the position of parts and automatically and accurately specify the geometric data required for laser marking and engraving.

Quality Assurance and Traceability

To be able to leave smooth, hygienic and long-lasting marks on most materials, the prerequisite is to have a variety of laser technologies, wavelengths, laser powers and pulse widths to choose from. Such high-quality marks that are not sloppy in the slightest need to meet one requirement: they must pass internal and external quality assurance and traceability qualification tests. This is also the use of the individual two-dimensional barcode mark on the individual implant to check whether the only implant can be used for implantation. All these barcodes and traceability options are integrated into an advanced laser marking software program, which can mark part numbers as two-dimensional barcodes, or continuous codes into barcodes or two-dimensional codes for the application of trademarks or graphics Measurement mark.

The benefits of integrated vision system

If the laser is operated without confirming whether the part is correct, or even if there is a part in the marking position, the part will be marked with the wrong mark and/or in the wrong position, causing the part to be scrapped . Due to the high cost of many medical equipment, scrapping will have a significant impact on corporate profits.

There are various models of medical equipment such as bone screws and hip replacement parts, but the basic shapes are the same. Wrong markings on a part will not only cause the part to be scrapped, it may also cause a nightmare of quality management, leading to serious legal consequences.

Such product scrap and quality problems can now be reduced to a minimum. The use of an integrated vision system, such as FOBA's patented "Intelligent Mark Positioning" (IMP) via lens marking and alignment system, ensures that the code is not only marked on the correct part, but also on the correct position of the part.

"IMP can accurately and precisely adjust the mode according to the parts, so that there will be no parts with deviations, no waste, precision molds can be manufactured, and no installation adjustments are required, and the consistency between machines can be maintained." FOBA North America Sales Manager Brian Hilliker said, “This type of laser marking code not only facilitates patients, but also provides health assurance. They must ensure that the marking does not have a predetermined breaking point, so as not to shorten the life of the implant or prosthesis.” Integrated vision system now It has been used to help produce machine parts faster, reduce waste, shorten preparation time and reduce operating costs.

Manufacturers benefit from the traceable quality that is not sloppy: a mark that can be maintained for life can play a role in the face of unfounded compensation claims, because every part can be traced all the way, and it is easy to change Different kinds of imitations. Even for high-quality workpieces and individual parts, the optical control system can meet the needs of efficient production. Through some visual control processes, the marking content is manually placed on the products that need to be marked, making this method particularly suitable for processing high-quality workpieces and individual parts. The optical inspection of the final marking and checking whether all the required information is marked is becoming increasingly important because it enables advanced inspection of the marking and marking position, thereby avoiding costly production shutdowns and time-consuming trial-and-error processes.

Cold laser application

Important developments and innovations in laser marking for medical plastics have only recently emerged. The so-called cold laser marking uses a UV laser marking machine to meet the strict hygiene requirements of invasive applications. The absolutely smooth surface can prevent bacteria from adhering to the material, and it can also prevent the material from entering the human body. The UV laser marking machine only generates very little heat when in use, and only has a chemical light perception, which can dye the surface of the material without making it foam. Therefore, these sensitive plastic materials can be marked without damage and can be used for invasive applications.

Five years ago, such solutions were almost unimaginable. Today, these cold laser marking machines have been applied to the most sensitive products and parts (such as invasive devices such as urinary catheters or insulin pumps) and can be marked with high precision, non-damage and long-lasting. Materials that could not be marked before, such as silicone or polyamide, can now also be marked. Every detail of the marks made by this type of UV laser marking machine is very complete: the wavelength of 355 nanometers can achieve ultra-precision and high-contrast processing. Finally, using this marking machine to mark sensitive plastics requires neither a solvent nor a material additive.

Ofer pointed out: "There are two main factors related to the processed surface: one is to create ideal conditions for biological reactions or biosensors; the other is an artificial cavity to construct a liquid reservoir or a specific residual height, so that a predetermined flow rate can be obtained for the response. Strive for ample time and space." Microstructure fabrication is widely used in many technical fields, and is now also popular in the medical and biochemical fields. "The vast majority of these new developments are attributable to close cooperation with consumers around the world."

Where to go?

Laser marking plays an important role in the medical industry. Many manufacturers have discovered the versatility, accuracy, and cost savings of lasers. Lasers can be used for sensitive materials to achieve quality control, reduce waste, increase output, and improve accuracy. However, the needs of the medical industry (regardless of whether it is due to new or sensitive materials, technology or other changes in the market) require laser marking manufacturers to continuously improve and develop their technology.

Laser marking manufacturers are looking for ways to make machines and systems more automated and flexible, thereby reducing the work of operating parts. Regardless of whether it is through vision, additional or more complex axis control and/or software, or through laser technology itself, it is certain that the equipment will become more efficient, less costly, and can improve marking parts the quality of.

By forming partnerships with the medical industry and understanding what is most important to the medical industry, laser machine manufacturers will be better able to provide these key elements to the medical industry and make the medical industry more successful.