Endoscopy Market

Endoscopy has evolved rapidly in the early 21st century giving way to a new world of surgical procedures. Through these procedures, recovery time is reduced, easing the burden on both healthcare provider and patient. The procedures are less traumatic to patients so they have a shorter recovery time, and the procedures have a higher success rate than many conventional surgeries. Additionally, the advancements in devices, through miniaturization and the move towards single use devices, has made possible a number of operations that would previously have been too high risk to proceed. Saint-Gobain Medical Components serves this market in a number of ways, some of which are showcased below. From endoscopic sheaths and components to filters for reprocessing; Saint-Gobain is your partner from concept to commercialization.

Tygon® LCF Tubing

This novel, soft, flexible TPE enables you to have more freedom in your designs. Due to the low coefficient of friction (CoF), which is comparable to ePTFE and PTFE, you can now put a flexible TPE in use where you might have required a different design altogether. Typical applications range from single use endoscopic components and sheaths to soft touch human contact. Due to the soft nature (72 Shor A Durometer) and low CoF, it makes for an ideal material where extended skin contact could otherwise agitate the dermis. It meets USP <88>, Plastic Class VI Criteria. View the Tygon®LCF Tubing Datasheet.

Tapered, Tipped, and Ring Marked PTFE

Many endoscopic procedures require precise PTFE instrumentation. Our proprietary manufacturing processes create tapered and tipped PTFE as well as the ability to add ring markings that can ensure your devices are assembled and used to your specifications. These products are used often in bile duct procedures among a number of other endoscopic applications. These products are custom made to customer specifications to include meeting custom biocompatibility requirements.  Learn more about our Fluoropolymer material capabilities.

Heat Shrink PTFE

Heat shrink PTFE is ideal for many endoscopic applications due to the material’s lubricity and low coefficient of friction. It can reach higher expansion ratios than other fluoropolymers so it works well for heat-shrink manufacturing processes. Typical applications include endoscopic guide wire coverings, areas where connectors may be required, and harsh chemical environments. These products are custom made to customer specifications to include meeting custom biocompatibility requirements.  View the Engineered Polymer Extrusions Datasheet.

Endoscope Shaft Tubing

Saint-Gobain offers high performance shaft tubing for your endoscope. Whether coiled or braided, the reinforced tubing is customizable to achieve an optimal balance of flexibility and rigidity. Based on customer specific design requirements, Saint-Gobain can match the appropriate dimensions, material types and grades to offer both resistance and lubricity. Additionally, Saint-Gobain can offer other customizations for the shaft tubing such as a non-reinforced welded tip at the distal end or overmolded components for the proximal end. These products are custom made to customer specifications to include meeting custom biocompatibility requirements.  Learn more about our Catheter Design capabilities.

Sheath Tubing

PEEK tubing offers both rigidity and flexibility as well as low friction characteristics. These properties make it an attractive choice for sheath design as the low friction on the inner diameter eases assembly steps and the balance of rigidity and flexibility are beneficial in the endoscopic application. An example would be a sheath for steering wire, which is then used to precisely guide the distal extremity of the endoscope. These products are custom made to customer specifications to include meeting custom biocompatibility requirements.  Learn more about our PEEK material capabilities.

Filtration

Saint-Gobain’s customized filtration solutions can provide unique value propositions for endoscope reprocessors. Through creation of unique design solutions, the filter can have extended on-stream life and retain its essential integrity to provide sterile filtrate. Custom, co-developed solutions can also ensure that unqualified filters are not used to replace the OEM validated original filters. Together with our customers, we can design custom solutions such as specialized liquid throughputs, novel connectivity, and custom sizes, for their endoscope reprocessors and driers. Whether the need is pre filtration, bacterial filtration, or air filtration, Saint-Gobain can create a distinctive solution to meet our customers’ needs. These products are custom made to customer specifications to include meeting custom biocompatibility requirements.  Learn more about our custom filtration technology.