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Producing medical products with lasers

There is no modern medical technology without laser technology: innovative medical devices cannot be made without laser technology. Learn how lasers are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in medical technology, resulting in gentler treatment procedures.

The life cycle of a medical device

Overcome development hurdles together

We offer laser technology for all conceivable medical device manufacturing processes. Our experts are by your side in every phase of product development - from the initial concept to series production.

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Surgical instruments

Mark more than "just" UDI codes with lasers

With lasers, you can not only mark surgical instruments, but also weld, cut and structure them, among other things. Learn more about the possible applications of the laser in the manufacture of catheters, endoscopes and more.

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Implantable medical devices

How pacemakers and co. can benefit from the laser

Laser technology is ideally suited for the production of active medical implants. Especially because it enables contactless welding without generating heat. Find out here the other advantages of lasers in the production of pacemakers and similar devices.

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Advantages of laser production

Application areas

Laser applications

Products

Partnership with TRUMPF

What advantages does laser production provide to medical device manufacturers?

Over the last few decades, laser technology hasn't just changed how medical professionals treat their patients, it has revolutionized the way companies manufacture medical devices. Implantable pacemakers, balloon catheters or stents - life-saving medical products would be inconceivable without modern laser technology. Laser systems enable manufacturers of medical devices and medical components to process even the smallest components precisely, flexibly and in sterile conditions. They also enable the use of advanced and biocompatible materials. Interventions are thus easier for the patient to tolerate, improving treatment results.

Of course, lasers also meet the high demands that the highly regulated industry places on the development of medical devices. They create products of consistent, flawless quality. Lasers can be used in a variety of ways: for welding, cutting, marking and structuring, or removing coatings. You too can rely on laser processing and thus on maximum process reliability, accuracy and quality.

Key solutions for advanced MedTech product design and quality assurance in serial manufacturing

There is no denying the importance of laser devices in medical technologies and their fascinating advances in recent decades. Laser technology has not only vastly improved medical procedures for patients, it has also revolutionized the manufacturing and processing of life-saving medical devices.

Many of today's medical breakthrough treatments and devices would not exist without high-power laser systems. Implantable pacemakers, balloon catheters and stents are examples of life-saving innovations in medicine, all vastly improved thanks to laser manufacturing. For example, eye diseases can now be cured with medical lasers, while laser manufactured artificial joints extend patient mobility. The potential of lasers has led to the use of more advanced materials in manufacturing, a lighter touch in patient procedures and ultimately, improved outcomes.

Lasers are reliable, cost-effective precision tools that can meet or exceed the demanding requirements of the strictly regulated medical technology market. Process safety requires the highest standards of precision and reliable product quality. Laser processing achieves this level of quality in laser welding, cutting, marking, structuring, 3d printing or coating removal. In medical technology, lasers can handle all manufacturing tasks where maximum precision and quality are critical. As the global market leader in lasers for industrial manufacturing, TRUMPF has the technical capabilities to support you with reliable manufacturing solutions.

The greatest precision for the smallest of components

Medical devices and their components are becoming smaller and smaller, which means that high precision and quality are becoming more important. Since lasers have little effect on the material, particularly filigree parts can be manufactured. The material properties can thus be optimally utilized.

Robust processes with reliable performance

Laser systems are extremely reliable and offer maximum availability with no downtime. This enables the production of medical products of excellent quality.

Automated production for every production level

Lasers are ideally suited for automated production, as they can be fully integrated into manufacturing systems. In addition, laser manufacturing processes can be easily scaled to any production level.

Versatile applications for different materials

Lasers can be used flexibly: from welding and cutting to surface treatment and additive manufacturing. The beam, wavelength and pulse profile are easily adapted to the materials used (e.g. 316LVM, L605, MP35N, molybdenum, nitinol, TiAL6V4, titanium, magnesium, polymers, ceramics, glass).

Which medical specialties benefit from laser manufacturing?

Surgical instruments

Surgical instruments are often difficult to handle: they can be very small, quite long, or even contorted. Nevertheless, they need to be able to withstand high levels of mechanical stress during medical procedures. They are also frequently exposed to high temperatures and aggressive chemical cleaners for sterilization, which can damage their adhesive bonds. Laser systems offer a solution to these challenges. Read here why you should rely on laser technology for the production of surgical instruments.

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Implantable medical devices

Manufacturing active implantable medical devices such as pacemakers or sensors is extremely demanding. On the one hand, sensitive electronic components must be inserted into the end product, and secondly, it needs a hermetically sealed housing to prevent substances from getting inside and damaging the battery or circuits. With laser technology, you can create stable, helium-tight connections that withstand stress and provide lossless electrical connections. Learn how laser technology makes the manufacture of implantable medical devices easier.

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3D printing in dental technology

3D printing has revolutionized dentistry in recent years and dental prostheses such as crowns or bridges can now be printed quickly and precisely. With just a few measurements, doctors can tailor these prostheses to the individual patient and thus reduce subsequent processing, thereby reducing costs and giving them a clear advantage over the competition. Learn here how you can profitably implement the advantages.

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TRUMPF Additive Manufacturing medical application cranial implant

Surgical implants and plastic surgery

3D printing has enormous potential in the field of facial reconstruction, for example after accidents or tumor removal. Finally, custom facial implants require complex geometries, which can be created promptly and relatively easily with the additive production system from TRUMPF. This way, you and your customers benefit from good treatment results. Find all the information you need on additive manufacturing here.

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Applications: How can lasers manufacture medical devices?

The medical and healthcare industry places high demands on products and processes. Medical devices have to comply with many size and material specifications while also guaranteeing high robustness, sterility and functionality. The innovative laser systems from TRUMPF offer a complete range of applications for the requirements of the industry, such as the highly precise welding, cutting, marking, surface structuring or 3D printing of medical technology products.

1. Laser welding

Lasers can also be used to weld helium-tight joints between different materials (e.g. metals and polymers). Typical applications include laser welding of AIMD housings (e.g. in pacemakers), weld seams on 3D components (such as in endoscopes or optical elements) and electronic connections on printed circuit boards and electrodes.

2. Laser cutting

Laser cutting enables very precise and burr-free cutting within tight tolerances. Common applications include fusion cutting and sublimation cutting of metal stents, cutting of polymer stents, and bladeless cutting of cannulas.

3. Laser marking, black marking and color changes

Laser markings are used in many different areas and for different materials: engraving metal, applying UDI-compliant laser markings to reusable surgical instruments, marking catheter components, and rainbow-effect markings on glass.

4. Additive manufacturing

With metal 3D printing systems, you can quickly and easily produce individualized medical devices with different geometries, dimensions and alloys. These include, for example, artificial joints, dental implants and crowns and production can easily be scaled up from individual pieces to series production.

5. Laser structuring

With laser technology, you can prepare the surface on individual structures , contact free, as well as process 3D geometries on numerous materials. Typical applications for structuring with laser technology are surface optimization in preparation for adhesive bonding and the cleaning of residues from preproduction.

6. Machine glass processing

Lasers can process glass in a variety of ways: in addition to marking glass surfaces, it is also possible to cut a variety of geometry cutouts from tubes or precise holes in glass surfaces with the help of special ultrashort pulse lasers. In addition, gas-tight weld seams between glass or glass and metal substrates can be produced in this way.

7. Laser drilling

Laser drilling allows you to reproduce the smallest holes with high precision in different materials such as ceramics, polymers and metals. The tool can be automated and configured for different types of holes.

We have discussed the right solution to manufacture your medical device

As the world's leading supplier of industrial lasers, we know the challenges you face as a medical device manufacturer and are guaranteed to find the right solution for producing your medical device. In the process, our laser systems can also be configured with so-called co-bots, aka collaborative robots. These can take charge of recurring loading and unloading tasks to increase throughput in production.

(Ultra)short pulse lasers are ideal for microprocessing different materials - and almost without heat exposure (cold processing). With these lasers, manufacturing companies can perform most standard processes such as cutting, welding or marking themselves.

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With our 3D printers, you can produce cast metal dentures, for example, much faster and more cost-effectively than with conventional milling methods.

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Automated multi-axis systems are used in 3D manufacturing for welding, cutting and surface processing. They can be combined and configured with fiber lasers, disk lasers and ultrashort pulse lasers.

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Find the perfect marking laser for your requirements: simply answer a few questions about your application and our product finder will show you which marking laser is right for you.

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Our medical technology industry experts will support you throughout the entire product life cycle

Innovative. Solution-oriented. Reliable.

We offer solutions for the laser processing of your medical devices that exactly fit your company's production conditions. We also keep the high requirements of the strictly regulated medical technology market in mind.

Leaders in laser technology

Our laser experts are among the best in the field. With us, you can manufacture medical devices that meet the highest quality requirements.

Confident with medical technology

We understand the technology behind your medical device and are familiar with the legal requirements and specifications of the industry - the best foundation for a productive collaboration.

Experienced in production

We know our way around manufacturing - across industry boundaries. The result is many points of synergy which you benefit from.

Global customer support

Our experts are always read to advise our customers at numerous locations worldwide.

The life cycle of a medical device

Developing medical devices can be easy

Let our team of leading industry experts advise you: we will support you in every phase of the product life cycle - from initial development to end of life!

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To the overview

The success story of our customer Samaplast AG

Stefan Schär, Head of Finishing and Logistics, Samaplast AG

The laser system helps us to process the enormous range of materials. All of the relevant parameters are saved, new part geometries are imported with STEP files to easily create the programs

Read story

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Developing medical products with TRUMPF

Learn how our medical technology and laser experts support you throughout the entire life cycle of your medical device – from conception to series production to the run-down phase.

Laser production for surgical instruments

Surgical instruments such as endoscopes or catheters must withstand heavy loads, high temperatures and aggressive cleaners. Learn how the laser creates smooth surfaces and strong connections for medical instruments, guaranteeing maximum sterility and stability.

Active implantable medical devices need laser technology

Active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) must not fail. They must be permanently sealed and the electronics must function without issue. Why are lasers perfect for creating electronic connections and assembling sensitive electronic components?

Service & contact

Contact

Sales Laser Technology

Phone +1 734-454-7200

Downloads

Medical technology solutions

pdf - 524 KB

Marking plastics in medical technology

pdf - 421 KB

Additive Manufacturing in the medical industry flyer

pdf - 633 KB