Attica Components are specialists in the manufacture of miniature components, including medical precision components. From laser cutting and welding through to tube manipulation, we have the capabilities to produce complex, precise and high-quality miniature components for medical application.

Medical Precision Components

Stents

We manufacture a wide range of stent components for medical application. For example, a nitinol tube is used in a superelastic stent application, where it extends and retracts at its distal end. A 3mm diameter nitinol tube is cut to allow its entry through a 3.2mm port, where it extends to manipulate tissue inside the body. It is then retracted through the port. Alternatively, a nitinol stent may be designed to be delivered through a 2-mm sheath and expand to support a 10mm diameter blood vessel. It’s a versatile material that’s perfect for stent manufacturing.

Maxillofacial Parts

We have manufactured precision components appropriate for maxillofacial surgery. It requires the laser welding of two miniature titanium machined parts.

A neodymium magnet was used to hold the components in place during laser welding and assembly is set so that that the laser weld hits the precise centre of the joint between the two parts. It is then rotated at a controlled feed rate while the laser fires at a constant hertz to form an 80 – 95% overlap between successive weld spots. Titanium performs well under this laser welding process and retains sufficient strength for medical application in maxillofacial surgery.

Tungsten Probes

Tungsten is often used for medical probes. It can pass an electric current through the material which raises it to a very high temperature to allow the removal of skin tissue. However, the tungsten does not oxidise and destroy itself as some other materials would.

To manufacture a tungsten probe for medical application, a precisely profiled tip is ground onto a fine (1mm diameter) tungsten rod.