Medical Devices

Materials Technology Associates, Inc has worked with customers in the medical device field for over twenty years. This field has covered  linear accelerators for cancer treatment, left ventricular heart pumps, cardiovascular stents, staples, syringes, instruments for arthroscopic and spinal surgery, and techniques for uterine cauterization and kidney stone removal.

 

Our strong background in corrosion science and engineering has helped qualify clients for the manufacturing of cardiovascular and esophageal stents and small surgical implants, using the ASTM specifications F2129 and G-61 potentiodynamic electrochemical testing for passivity and pitting resistance.

 

Many years of experience in failure analysis has enabled us to work with clients to resolve problems related to complex mechanical loading interacting with the environment causing corrosion fatigue or fracture from hydrogen embrittlement.  In some cases ductile overload in shear or tension was at issue, and in others cases incorrect materials selection or choice of surface treatment.

 

Techniques used in failure analysis include initial visual examination using a high-performance stereoscopic microscope. This is followed by a more detailed examination using a scanning electron microscope. If materials composition is required, then energy dispersive X-ray analysis is carried out at the same time. This work is often supported by metallographic sectioning and mechanical testing.