Trelleborg is showcasing its GeoTrans geometric transition extrusion technology at MD&M West, Feb. 11-13, in Anaheim, Calif.

The technology uses high consistency rubber silicone and eliminates the use of assembled joins that can be weak and cause failure modes and internal misalignments. With the assembled joints eliminated, component strength, longevity and robustness are increased.

“HCR silicone’s unique green strength, the strength of rubber in its unvulcanized state, allows for highly complex geometries in continuous extrusion processes,” product manager in Trelleborg’s healthcare and medical operation Dan Sanchez said. “In the GeoTrans process, tool components can be moved during extrusion to substantially change cross-sections. This opens up new design possibilities in a wide range of medical devices, including wound drains and spinal and hemodialysis catheters.”

Some examples of possible geometric transitions include moving from a single lumen tube to a multi-lumen tube or splitting a multi-lumen tube into two or three single lumen tubes; one or more lumen stops and restarts within a multiple lumen tube to eliminate the need for secondary operations; bifurcated tubing and more.

“A major advantage to the device manufacturer is that overall processing time and costs can be reduced. Although running a simple extrusion is faster than running a geometric transition extrusion, overall manufacturing, assembly and quality testing time can be significantly shortened with the GeoTrans process,” Sanchez said.

Trelleborg’s GeoTrans extrusion process can be used to manufacture products between 7 French and 24 French on the catheter scale, according to the company.

The company plans to showcase the technology at Booth 2601 at MD&M West.