MEDICAL COATING SOLUTIONS
ProPlate® has specialized in engineered Medical Coating Solutions for the medical industry for more than 35 years.
ProPlate® has pioneered metal plating innovations for applications such as catheters, balloons, and radiopaque markers and continues to be an industry-leading electroplater.
ProPlate’s Vizi-Band® Radiopaque Marker Sample kit is a useful representation of our radiopaque marker coating innovation and capabilities. The sample kit includes 5 stainless steel hypo-tubes of Vizi-Band® with thicknesses ranging from 500μ”-1500μ”
Magnets
Neodymium Iron Boron Magnets
Client: Medical Equipment and Supplies OEM
The Product
Neodymium Iron Boron Magnets
Neodymium Iron Boron Magnets are one of the most powerful commercial permanent magnets available today. These rare earth magnets can be up to 10 times stronger than the strongest ceramic magnet. NdFeB magnets are typically produced using one of two general method categories, bonded magnets (compression, injection, extrusion, or calendaring molding) and sintered magnets (powder metallurgy, PM process). NdFeB magnets are commonly used in products that require strong permanent magnets, such as hard disk drives for computers, electric motors in cordless equipment, and fasteners. For medical component applications, new uses of these powerful magnets are emerging. For instance, magnets can be integrated into the tip of a catheter assembly and controlled by external magnetic systems for steerability and deflectability; this is used for catheter navigation. Other uses in the medical field include the introduction of open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners used to map and image anatomy as an alternative to superconducting magnets that typically use coils of wire to produce a magnetic field. Additional medical device use includes long and short-term implants and minimally invasive devices. Some minimally invasive applications for neodymium iron boron magnets are endoscopic assemblies for a myriad of procedures, including; gastroesophageal, gastrointestinal, skeleton, muscle and joints, cardiovascular, and neural…
To read more about the challenge and engineered solution please click and download the full case study
Applications:
- Computer Hard Drive Magnets
- Microphones
- Headphones
- Dentures
- Loudspeakers
- Magnetic Pump Couplings
- Door Catches
- Magnetic Suspension
- Motors & Pumps (e.g., washing machines, drills, food mixers, vacuum cleaners, hand dryers, medical devices)
- Generators (e.g., Wind turbines, Wave Power, Turbo Generators, etc.)
- Sensors
- Orthopedics
- Halbach Arrays
- Jewelry
- Healthcare
- MRI and NMR applications
- Magnetic Separators
- TWT (Transverse Wave Tube)
- Magnetic Bearings
- Lifting Apparatus
- Limpet Pot Magnets
- Starter motors
- ABS systems
- Fans Eddy Current
- Brakes
- Alternators
- Meters
- Magnetic Clamps
- Magnetic Levitation
- Electro-acoustic pick-ups
- Switches
- Relays
- Catheter assemblies and components
- Catheter tips
- Surgical components and minimally invasive devices
- Endoscopic assemblies
- Hard disk drives
- Electric motors in cordless equipment
- Fasteners
Have more Questions? Request a capabilities presentation with one of our business development specialists.
ProPlate’s dedicated new product development team supports new medical device projects from concept through commercialization through our proven process roadmap.
Nitinol
Nitinol Welded to Dissimilar Materials
Client: Medical Equipment and Supplies OEM
The Product:
Fusing Ni-Ti to Dissimilar Materials
Ni-Ti handles continuous distortion and kinking. It presents many advantageous properties such as super-elasticity, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. In addition, the shape, stiffness, and other properties of Nitinol can be controlled by chemical composition, heat treatment, and temperature…
To read more about the challenge and engineered solution please click and download the full case study
Our robust metallizing processes are thoroughly designed and maintained to ensure the highest quality standards. Medical Device Quality System: ISO 13485:2016 Certified
Bipolar Forceps
Silver Plated Bipolar Forceps
Client: Medical Equipment and Supplies OEM
The Product
Bipolar Forceps
Bipolar Medical Forceps are similar to normal surgical forceps in shape, but the intended purpose is much different. Unlike surgical forceps, which are meant to open and hold tissue, bipolar forceps are meant to coagulate — or make solid or semisolid — tissue using an electrical current. This electrical current is fired through the tips of the bipolar forceps requiring a metal finish to complete the thermal conductivity…
To read more about the challenge and engineered solution please click and download the full case study
ProPlate® partners with medical technology companies to develop innovations through unique metal coating technologies that drive commercial success and result in improved patient outcomes.
Pd-Ni
Palladium Nickel
Client: Medical Equipment and Supplies OEM
The Product
Electroplated Palladium-Nickel Alloy
Pd-Ni was initially used to eradicate cold welding issues occurring in the joining of connectors electroplated with a standard gold deposit. Once scientists discovered the wear-resistant applications of Pd-Ni, the alloy became popular in the 1970s due to its contact resistance, wear properties, and protective value. Palladium is notably used in automotive parts such as catalytic converters, which reduces toxic gases from a combustion engine’s exhaust system into less toxic particles through catalyzing a redox reaction. Type II Palladium-Nickel alloy plating is composed of approximately 20% Nickel & 80% Palladium. This combination makes it less likely to crack or break under stress and more resistant to galvanic corrosion and heat than pure Palladium. It also has better ductility and hardness. Pd-Ni is a dense deposit. As a result, it offers reduced porosity and excellent solderability characteristics. Electrodeposited Palladium-Nickel alloys have a density between 10 and 11.5 g/cm3, which is noticeably less than electroplated gold ~17.0 to 19.3 g/cm3 and comparable to electroplated pure palladium ~10.5 to 11.8 g/cm3. The hardness (of plated) Palladium-Nickel measures favorably compared to other electroplated noble metals. For example, the approximate hardness of Pd-Ni is 300–650, Gold (HK25) is 50–250, Palladium is 75–600, Platinum is 150–550, and Rhodium is 750–1100….
To read more about the challenge and engineered solution please click and download the full case study
ProPlate® partners with industry-leading medical technology companies around the world who share our core values; Innovative, Collaborative, Critical Thinking, Driven, Quality Minded, and Reputable.
Have more Questions? Request a capabilities presentation with one of our business development specialists.
Insulin Pump
Gold Plated Insulin Pump Battery
Client: Medical Equipment and Supplies OEM
The Product
Insulin Pump Battery Casing
The insulin pump is a medical device used to administer insulin to treat diabetes mellitus, also known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy. The pump includes controls, a processing module, and batteries. The battery casing at the left is designed to be corrosion resistant. In order to provide this, the casing must be plated in nickel and palladium and include a small strip of gold….
To read more about the challenge and engineered solution please click and download the full case study
ProPlate® collaborates with value driven medical device companies around the world to provide innovative engineered metallization solutions and to improve people’s lives.
Hermetic Seal
Hermetic Seal Feedthrough Connectors
Client: Medical Equipment and Supplies OEM
Applications
- Multi-Pin Connectors for Endoscopy
- Sterilized Connectors for Surgical Instruments
- Male/Female Contacts
- Implantable Medical Devices
- Sealed Relays
- Vacuum Feed-through
- Injector Tubes
- Thermocouples
- Power Distribution
- Headers
The Product
Hermetic Seal Feedthrough Connectors
Hermetic Seals require leads to be sealed inside of a body/housing. The leads must not be connected to the hermetic seal body but still pass current through the leads. Leads can be sealed within body/housings using either a glass or ceramic seal, with glass-to-metal being the most common feed-through. Due to the temperature of the sealing process for the glass and ceramic hermetic seals, selective plating of the feed-through pins is a critical requirement. The hermetic seal feed-through connectors can be designed according to the unique project requirement. Typical finishes include Gold, Rhodium, Platinum, Palladium, and Palladium-Nickel. Dependent upon the plating requirement and specifications, including chemical or corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. The commonly used base materials for feed-through connectors are Alloy 52, Copper Cored 52 Alloy, Beryllium Copper, Alloy 42, Kovar, Inconel, Invar, Stainless Steel, and Molybdenum. Feed-through connectors have been proven helpful throughout the Medical, Defense, and Aerospace industries as reliable connectors that can withstand harsh environments such as high temperatures, shock, and typical steam or sterilization methods used in medical device industries while insulating and channeling electricity. Glass-to-metal seals are the most common feed-through as it prevents the diffusion of gases that typically result in degradation or malfunctioning of the electrical components of other parts….
To read more about the challenge and engineered solution please click and download the full case study
Contact us to request information about our plating and metal finishing services
We Are Dedicated to Partnering With Our Customers
Professional Plating Inc. has specialized in engineered coating solutions for the medical industry for more than 35 years. The company works with customers from the prototype development stage through production to create custom electroplating solutions designed for unique requirements. ProPlate® has pioneered selective precious metal plating innovations for medical devices and applications such as balloon catheters, radiopaque markers, and catheter-based components and continues to be an industry-leading electroplater.
