Braid Reinforced Tubing: a key innovation in minimally invasive medical treatment

In modern medical technology, minimally invasive surgery and interventional treatment have become important means of treating many complex diseases. In order to meet these high-precision and high-reliability applications, Braid Reinforced Tubings have gradually become key components in medical devices due to their excellent performance and flexibility. Braid Reinforced Tubings significantly improve the burst pressure resistance, column strength and torque transmission performance of the tube by embedding a metal or fiber braided structure between two layers of materials. They are widely used in coronary artery, electrophysiology, structural heart, peripheral, neurological, urinary, respiratory and other fields.

The core advantage of Braid Reinforced Tubings lies in the combination of Kevlar reinforcement and stainless steel braiding. Kevlar fiber is widely used in aerospace, bulletproof equipment and other fields due to its extremely high tensile strength and lightweight properties. In Braid Reinforced Tubings, Kevlar fiber is used as a reinforcement layer, which not only improves the strength of the tube, but also enhances its flexibility and impact resistance. The stainless steel braiding further enhances the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the tube, so that it can still maintain stable performance in harsh environments.

In addition, the PTFE lining design of the Braid Reinforced Tubing has excellent chemical compatibility and low friction characteristics. PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) as the inner layer material can effectively prevent the leakage of fluids or gases, and has extremely low permeability, which is suitable for high-purity product transportation, food processing, medical equipment and other fields. This lining design not only increases the service life of the pipe, but also reduces maintenance costs.

Braid Reinforced Tubings are widely used in the medical field. The high precision, high torque control performance and good biocompatibility of medical braided tubes make them an important part of key medical equipment such as minimally invasive surgery and interventional treatment.

For example, the Braid Reinforced Tubing combined with PI material (polyimide) and Kevlar fiber not only has excellent strength and temperature resistance, but also has good insulation performance and operational flexibility, which is suitable for a variety of medical devices such as guidewire lumens, puncture tools, and interventional sheaths.

In coronary artery intervention, Braid Reinforced Tubings are used in key equipment such as balloon catheters and aortic valve delivery systems. Its high torque control performance and good burst pressure resistance enable it to navigate smoothly in complex vascular structures and ensure the safety and effectiveness of the operation.

In addition, the application of Braid Reinforced Tubings in electrophysiological mapping catheters, steerable sheaths, guide catheters and other equipment also demonstrates its excellent performance under high precision and high reliability requirements.

What are the structural components of Braid Reinforced Tubings?
The structural components of Braid Reinforced Tubings usually include inner layer, middle layer and outer layer, each layer has its specific function and material selection. The following is the detailed structure composition:

Inner layer (liner): The inner layer is in direct contact with the fluid and is required to have good media resistance and sealing properties to ensure that the fluid is not contaminated during transmission. Common inner layer materials include PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), PEBAX (polyetherimide), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), PA (polyamide) and PE (polyethylene).

Middle layer (reinforcement layer): The middle layer is the core part of the braided reinforced pipe, usually woven with metal wire (such as stainless steel wire, nickel-titanium alloy wire) or fiber (such as Kevlar®, LCP). This layer not only provides the required tensile strength and pressure bearing capacity, but also gives the pipe excellent bending flexibility and wear resistance. The braiding method can be 1-on-1, 1-on-2 or 2-on-2, and the braiding density is usually between 25 and 125 PPI, and can be continuously adjusted according to demand.

Outer layer (protective layer): The outer layer is located on the outermost side, and its main function is to protect the reinforcement layer and the inner layer from being damaged by the external environment. Common outer layer materials include PEBAX, nylon, TPU, PET (polyester), polyethylene, etc., which have good wear resistance, weather resistance and UV radiation resistance. In addition, color identification, flame retardants and antistatic agents can be added to the outer layer to meet specific application requirements.

Tie Layer: In some cases, in order to ensure the close bonding between the layers of materials, a tie layer is set between the inner layer and the reinforcement layer. The tie layer is usually made of special adhesives or coating materials to improve the bonding strength between the layers and the stability of the overall structure.

Other optional structures:

Development ring or development point: In some medical applications, in order to facilitate observation under X-ray or other imaging techniques, a development ring or development point is added to the pipe, which is usually made of platinum-iridium alloy, gold-plated or non-radio-transparent polymer materials.

Reinforcement rib design: In some high-pressure or high-load applications, reinforcement ribs are added to the outside of the pipe to further improve its structural strength and stability.

Wire-pull ring-controlled bending system: In applications where precise control of the bending angle is required, a wire-pull ring-controlled bending system can be designed to ensure that the pipe can maintain a stable shape and performance during use.

What is the key role of the reinforcement material of the Braid Reinforced Tubing?

The reinforcement material of the Braid Reinforced Tubing plays a vital role in improving its performance. The reinforcement material is usually located in the middle layer of the tube and is formed by braiding or winding to enhance the strength, toughness and compressive resistance of the tube. The following are the key roles of the reinforcement material and its detailed description:

1. Improve the compressive resistance:
Braided reinforcement materials (such as stainless steel wire, Kevlar®, LCP, etc.) can significantly improve the compressive resistance of the pipe, so that it can still maintain structural stability under high pressure. For example, a braided reinforced catheter made of 304 steel wire and medical polymer materials can effectively prevent the catheter from folding and enhance its compressive resistance. In addition, the application of Braid Reinforced Tubings in high-pressure pipelines also shows that its reinforcement materials can withstand hydraulic pressures up to 5000 PSI.

2. Enhanced torsion control performance:

The structural design of the braided reinforced material enables it to provide good torsion control performance. In medical devices such as aortic valve delivery systems and electrophysiological mapping catheters, the high torsion control performance of the Braid Reinforced Tubing ensures the stability and accuracy of the catheter in complex operations. In addition, the reinforcing material of the Braid Reinforced Tubing can also optimize its torsion performance by adjusting the braiding angle and density.

3. Prevent elongation and deformation:
Braided reinforcement materials can effectively prevent the pipe from elongating or deforming during use. For example, in hydraulic systems, braided reinforced pipes can maintain the stability of their shape and avoid deformation due to material fatigue even under high pressure and dynamic loads. This feature is particularly important for medical devices that require precise control, such as neurovascular microcatheters and steerable sheaths.

4. Provide additional protection:
Braided reinforcement materials not only enhance the mechanical properties of the pipe, but also provide it with additional physical protection. For example, in explosion-proof flexible connecting pipes, the middle reinforcement layer is usually composed of wire braided mesh or fiber reinforcement materials, which can effectively prevent external impact and wear and ensure the strength and stability of the connection. In addition, braided reinforcement materials can further improve their wear resistance and anti-slip properties by increasing the surface roughness of the pipe or adding an anti-slip coating.

5. Optimize material utilization:
The structural design of braided reinforcement materials enables them to be optimized according to the force requirements of the components, thereby giving full play to their high strength advantages. For example, in composite materials, fiber braided meshes can be arranged in a directional manner according to the force direction of the component to improve the utilization efficiency of the reinforcement materials. This design not only improves the overall performance of the pipe, but also reduces the cost of using the material.

6. Adapt to a variety of working environments:
The diversity and adjustability of braided reinforcement materials enable them to adapt to a variety of working environments. For example, in rubber hoses for nuclear power, the reinforcement layer is usually woven or wound with fiber materials. These materials have high strength and toughness, which can effectively enhance the tensile and compressive properties of the hose. In addition, braided reinforcement materials can also adapt to different working conditions by adjusting their weaving methods (such as plain weave, twill weave, cross weave, etc.), ensuring that the hose can operate stably in various complex environments.

Application of Braid Reinforced Tubings
Braid Reinforced Tubings are widely used in multiple medical fields due to their excellent performance and flexibility. Their high torque control performance and good biocompatibility make them an important part of key medical equipment such as minimally invasive surgery and interventional therapy.

1. Coronary intervention: Braid Reinforced Tubings play an important role in coronary intervention. Their high pressure resistance and good torsion control performance enable them to pass through complex vascular structures smoothly, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the operation. For example, Braid Reinforced Tubings are used in key equipment such as balloon catheters and aortic valve delivery systems.

2. Electrophysiological intervention: In electrophysiological intervention, the high torsion control performance and good conductivity of Braid Reinforced Tubings make them an ideal choice for electrophysiological mapping catheters. They can provide precise torque control to ensure stable navigation of the catheter in complex heart structures.

3. Structural cardiac intervention: Braid Reinforced Tubings are also widely used in structural cardiac intervention. Their high support force and good anti-bending performance enable them to effectively support the implantation of complex structures such as heart valves.

4. Peripheral vascular intervention: In peripheral vascular intervention, the high flexibility and good torsion resistance of Braid Reinforced Tubings enable them to adapt to complex vascular pathways and ensure the smooth progress of the operation.

5. Neurological intervention: The application of Braid Reinforced Tubings in neurological intervention is particularly prominent. Its high torsion control performance and good biocompatibility enable it to pass through complex neurovascular structures, ensuring the accuracy and safety of the operation.

6. Urinary intervention: In urological intervention, the high flexibility and good anti-bending performance of the Braid Reinforced Tubing enable it to pass through complex urinary system structures to ensure the smooth progress of the operation.

7. Respiratory intervention: The application of Braid Reinforced Tubings in respiratory intervention is also becoming more and more extensive. Its high flexibility and good anti-bending performance enable it to pass through complex respiratory tract structures to ensure the smooth progress of the operation.

8. Microcatheter: The application of Braid Reinforced Tubings in microcatheters is particularly prominent. Its high torsion control performance and good anti-bending performance enable it to pass through complex vascular structures to ensure the accuracy and safety of the operation.

9. Aortic valve delivery system: The application of Braid Reinforced Tubings in aortic valve delivery systems is also very extensive. Its high pressure resistance and good torsion control performance enable it to pass through complex vascular structures smoothly to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the operation.

10. Steerable sheath: The application of Braid Reinforced Tubings in steerable sheaths is also very prominent. Its high torsion control performance and good anti-bending performance enable it to pass through complex vascular structures, ensuring the accuracy and safety of the operation.

11. Guide catheters: Braid Reinforced Tubings are also widely used in guide catheters. Its high flexibility and good anti-bending performance enable it to pass through complex vascular structures to ensure the smooth progress of the operation.

Why can Braid Reinforced Tubings become a key component in high-precision medical treatment?
Braid Reinforced Tubings have become an indispensable and important product in modern medical treatment due to their excellent performance and flexible customized services. Its performance advantages are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

High burst pressure resistance and column strength: Braid Reinforced Tubings significantly improve the pressure resistance of the tube by embedding a metal or fiber braided structure between two layers of material. This design enables it to maintain structural stability under high pressure and is suitable for applications that require high reliability.

For example, in the medical field, Braid Reinforced Tubings are widely used in percutaneous coronary catheters, balloon catheters, neurovascular microcatheters and other devices to ensure their stability and safety in complex vascular structures.

Excellent torque transmission performance: The middle layer of the Braid Reinforced Tubing is usually woven with metal wires or fibers, and this structural design gives it good torsion control performance.

In medical devices such as aortic valve delivery systems and electrophysiological mapping catheters, the high torsion control performance of Braid Reinforced Tubings ensures the accuracy and stability of the catheter in complex operations. In addition, the braided reinforced polyimide tube (PI) provided by Zeus also has excellent torque transmission capabilities and is suitable for applications that require high flexibility and strength.

Adjustable hardness: Braid Reinforced Tubings can adjust the material combination and braiding density according to customer needs to achieve customization of different hardness. This flexibility enables it to adapt to a variety of application scenarios, from soft catheters to rigid support structures, to meet specific needs.

For example, PI braided tubes combine the high strength and temperature resistance of PI materials with the flexibility of braided structures to become a composite tube material with excellent twist control, flexibility, strength, and pushability.

Short delivery time and stable production: Since the inner and outer layer materials can be produced independently, the production process of Braid Reinforced Tubings is more efficient and can shorten the delivery cycle. At the same time, its production environment usually meets the 10,000-level clean room standard to ensure that the product quality meets the requirements of medical device applications. This efficient production method not only improves production efficiency, but also reduces manufacturing costs, making the product more competitive in the market.

Customized service: The customized service of Braid Reinforced Tubings is a highlight. Customers can choose the inner and outer layer materials and reinforcement materials such as PTFE, PI, PEBAX, TPU, PA, etc. according to specific needs to meet the needs of different application scenarios.

For example, the braided reinforced polyimide tube (PI) and PI Glide™ tube provided by Zeus can adjust the number of nodes per inch (PPI) and the number of turns per inch (WPI) according to the specifications to meet different performance requirements. In addition, the customized service also includes adjustments in size, color, surface treatment, etc. to ensure that the product is perfectly adapted to specific application scenarios.

Post-processing: In order to further improve the performance and applicability of the product, the Braid Reinforced Tubing usually undergoes a series of post-processing treatments, such as tip molding, bonding, taper and other processes. These treatments can enhance the connectivity and operability of the tube, making it more reliable in complex environments. For example, the inner and outer layers of the PI braided tube are both coated with an advanced dip coating process to ensure its good chemical compatibility and mechanical properties.

The future development trend of Braid Reinforced Tubings is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

Material innovation: With the development of new material technology, Braid Reinforced Tubings will use more high-performance fiber materials, such as aramid, carbon fiber, etc., to improve their lightweight and high-strength characteristics. At the same time, the application of environmentally friendly materials such as recyclable and biodegradable materials will also increase, driving the industry towards sustainable development.

Technological progress: The application of intelligent manufacturing and automation equipment will improve production efficiency and product quality. The development of 3D braiding technology will enhance the production capacity of braided sleeves with complex structures and broaden their application scenarios. In addition, the application of intelligent materials, such as shape memory alloys and intelligent textiles, will give braided catheters the ability to adapt and self-repair, improving their reliability and service life under extreme conditions.

Expansion of application fields: The application fields of Braid Reinforced Tubings will be further expanded, especially in the fields of medical equipment (such as endoscopes and catheters), new energy (wind and solar energy equipment), etc. With the acceleration of urbanization and the popularization of the concept of smart city construction, the demand for intelligent management of underground pipe network systems is increasing, which will bring new development opportunities for Braid Reinforced Tubings.

Intelligence and sustainability: With the development of Internet of Things technology, Braid Reinforced Tubings will integrate more sensors and communication modules to realize real-time monitoring and data upload of pipeline status, and provide more accurate information support for urban pipe network maintenance. At the same time, with the promotion of the concept of circular economy, the production of Braid Reinforced Tubings will use more recyclable materials to reduce the impact on the environment.

Customized service: In the future, the customized service of Braid Reinforced Tubings will be more flexible to meet the needs of different application scenarios. For example, by optimizing the material formula and manufacturing process, reinforced plastic pipes will have better mechanical properties and chemical stability to adapt to more demanding application environments. In addition, with the strengthening of personalized consumption trends, braided reinforced pipes will provide more customized services, such as special specifications and functional customization, to meet the needs of different occasions.

With the continuous advancement of materials science and engineering technology, the performance and application range of Braid Reinforced Tubings will be further expanded. In the future, the combination of Kevlar reinforcement and stainless steel braiding will be closer to meet the needs of higher strength and lighter weight. At the same time, the design of PTFE lining and high-pressure pipes will also be more intelligent to meet the high-precision requirements under complex working conditions.

In the medical field, Braid Reinforced Tubings will continue to promote the development of minimally invasive surgery and interventional treatment, especially in high-precision fields such as neurovascular and cardiovascular. In the industrial field, its application in high-pressure, corrosion-resistant, and impact-resistant scenarios will continue to expand, providing strong support for intelligent manufacturing and green manufacturing.