Interface Catheter Makes System Upgrades

Interface Catheter Solutions of Laguna Niguel, Calif., has implemented system upgrades.

The companuy recently made substantial upgrades to its new balloon visual inspection system for significantly reduced cycle times, according to the firm. The system provides both visual inspection and dimensional measurements of medical balloons in a single operation to add consistency and accountability to the inspection process. Inspection includes classification and size of defects with pass/fail analysis based on user-selected criteria. The balloon visual inspection system operates with a sophisticated vision system and analysis program with an intuitive user interface. The Interface inspection system provides immediate detailed visual and data reporting used in both quality manufacturing inspection and research and development.
 
The balloon visual inspection system has enhanced pneumatic rotary air chucks for quick and easy loading and unloading of balloons and a tight, reliable seal.  The new air chucks reduce cycle time inspection processing.  Additional upgrades include higher pressure capability for pressures up to 13 atmospheres along with significantly improved pressure accuracy.   New digital pressure output gauge provides improved pressure accuracy reliability.
 
A newly added feature to the balloon visual inspection system is anionizing knife that blows static free air while rotating the balloon under pressure before each inspection process. The ionizing knife reduces particles thereby reducing potential false-negative testing results. The detailed visual reports provide operators with high resolution and magnified images to take the guesswork out of pass/fail inspections.  The balloon visual inspection system can provide accurate measurements and images to confirm pass or fail inspections potentially increasing manufacturing yields.  Reports are all traceable to the production lot and the inspector. 

Tubing Welding Upgrades

The company also has made to its tubing welding machine, model TBW-500. The new vision system upgrade offers an LCD display that greatly improves visibility of the welding operation, is simple to operate and stores welding parameters (PC controlled operation), company officials noted. In additiona, the TBW-500 also offers a quick exchange welding jaw for faster and simplified setup and change out of jaws for multiple welding operations.
 
The new vision system display contains a complete Windows 7 operating system and supports high resolution settings to produce detailed viewing of each individual weld.  The display is a touch screen system. Objects can be selected and adjusted by touch and drag. Selection is made by simply touching the desired object.  The crosshair function for accurate welding operation works by simply touching the desired selection and a drop down box indicates the status of that selection.
 
Files can be uploaded from the system’s library or in a designated location for repeatable welding results.  A capture option produces an exact copy of what is displayed on the screen for operator and inline quality inspection.  The vision system camera offers two movable adjustments including a focus and a light polarization adjustment for improved operator visualization.
 
The TBW-500 with quick exchange welding jaws (QX Welding Jaw) is designed for easy removal and exchange for multiple welding operations.  There is no longer the need to remove a tilt plate assembly with this new modular design with easy access to the desired module.  The QX Welding Jaw is exchanged by removing side panel screws and sliding in and out the new jaws.  The new dovetail design of the jaws also provide secure fixation.
 
Interface has been solely focused on the balloon catheter market since 1995. The company has created more than 2,100 balloon designs, and offers balloon design and development, balloon contract manufacturing, extruded balloon tubing, custom medical extrusion, plus a comprehensive line of balloon catheter production and testing equipment. Interface is ISO 13485:2003 certified and operates multiple class 100,000 (ISO Class 8) clean rooms in three facilities.