A D V E R T I S E M E N
Medical Springs
FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS
Q: What applications in medical
devices require springs?
A: Springs are typically found in
medical devices that have movement
designed into them. These can be
devices that staple tissue, pump fluids,
deliver medications, cauterize, and
remove particulates. Medical device
applications that use springs include
any device that is a retracting, pushing,
driving, releasing, leaf, or sheathing
mechanism. Metal springs by definition
are any metal form that have the ability
to store and release energy. These
springs can be flat, round, or shaped.
Q: What are the proper techniques
to designing a spring?
A: When designing the spring for your
application, there are certain design
criteria that should be followed to
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T
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ensure a proper spring. The spring rate
should be linear, between 20% and
80% of the total deflection of the free
height to solid height. All loads applied
to the spring should be specified
between 20% and 80% of deflection.
If two loads are specified, then the free
length should not have a tolerance. The
spring rate may vary substantially when
two loads are specified. If the rate has
a tolerance, the number of coils should
not have a tolerance. Only one load or
free height can have a tolerance, but
not both. Coils should typically be left
as reference.
Q: What are the design
considerations needed to comply in
a medical environment?
A: When designing for medical
devices that need to operate in specific
environments, one aspect to consider is
corrosiveness. Metal coming in contact
with saline and/or body fluids can
cause corrosion. Other considerations
are the required load/force, magnetism,
temperature, conductivity, and
compatibility with surrounding
materials.
Q: What are the types of materials
that are used in medical springs?
A: There are several metals that can
be used in medical applications. The
following is a list of metals:
Stainless Steels: Typically 300 Series,
400 series, and the 17-7PH are used.
Can operate in high temperatures and
is slightly magnetic in spring temper;
which is increased after cold working.
High Nickel Alloys: Highly corrosive
resistance. Examples of high nickel
alloys are Nitronic, MP35N,
Elgiloy, and Monel.
Titanium: Used in
implantable devices. Titanium
does not throw off shadows
under X-ray, leaving crisp
images. High-strength post-
precipitation hardening and a
low modulus; half of 17-7 PH.
Non-Ferrous Alloys:
Examples are Copper, Brass,
Phos Bronze, and Beryllium
Copper. Also known as red
metals. Used for low-strength
applications, have good
corrosion resistance, electrical
conductivity, and are suited
for average to elevated
temperature applications.
Carbon Steels: Have a
high strength and average
electrical conductivity. Best
suited for lower temperature
working environments.
Engineering
Chrome Silicon/Vanadium, Low
Carbon, and High Carbon.
Other specialty metals include
Aluminum, Alumel, Chromel,
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Hastelloy, Inconel, Kanthal, Kovar,
Monel, Nikrothal, and Tungsten.
Q: What are the typical forces
required in medical devices for
springs?
A: Typically light forces measured
in ounces per inch, although certain
applications can go up to 10 lbs. per
Solutions .....
inch.
Q: How do you ensure quality
and longevity for springs used in
medical devices?
A: The springs must be designed to
be able to withstand the forces that
they will be subjected to during their
lifetime. The stresses in the material
during use can be calculated, and they
can be compared to the tensile strength
ISO 13485 Compliant
of the material. There are spring design FDA Registered
guidelines that require the stresses ISO 9001
to be below a certain percent of the
tensile strength. A spring is considered
overstressed when the corrected stress
percent exceeds the recommended
percent of the ultimate tensile strength.
The spring design equations use a
correction factor that depends on the
spring index (ratio of spring diameter
to wire size). This correction provides a
more accurate figure of the stresses in
......for more than 40 years!
the material.
Sometimes a set removal process is Medical Device OEMs rely on Economy
performed. This is a process where the
spring is deflected beyond its operating Spring for:
point, leading to a plastic deformation
in the material. The net effect of this Engineering design expertise
is to increase the allowable deflection
of the spring, as well as increasing
Cleanroom controlled environments
the fatigue life of the spring. Another Quality inspection
process performed on springs is shot
peening. Shot peening is a process
where small steel or ceramic pellets
are made to impact the spring at
a controlled intensity. Each impact
deforms the surface, leaving the
RAPID
impacted zone in a compressive residual
stress. Shot peening can increase the
Prototyping
life of the spring, and is performed on Services
all springs that require an essentially
infinite life (for instance, valve springs).
Critical springs may require cycle
testing to verify spring fatigue life. Southington, CT 06489 Tel: 860.621.7358 info@mw-ind.com