What is a Catheter?
A catheter is a thin tube made of medical-grade materials used for various medical purposes. It is inserted into the body to treat diseases or perform surgical procedures. Catheters can be placed in different parts of the body, such as cavities, ducts, vessels, the brain, skin, or fatty tissues, depending on the specific medical need.
Catheters have become indispensable in modern healthcare, serving diverse functions from diagnostics to life-saving treatments. AMETEK EMC supports the catheter manufacturing industry, playing a pivotal role in the development of this critical medical technology. With a commitment to excellence and over 40 years of expertise, AMETEK EMC has established itself as a global contract manufacturer, delivering tailored solutions that meet the dynamic needs of the healthcare industry.
Growth trends in the Medical Catheter Market
Medical Trends Drive Catheter Market to Projected $24.2 Billion by 2025. The global catheter market, valued at $15.9 billion in 2020, is projected to surge to $24.2 billion by 2025, boasting a CAGR of 8.7%. This growth is fueled by the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, a rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries, and a significant uptick in chronic diseases related to urinary bladder and kidney failures.
Catheter Manufacturing Process in steps:
1. Laser Processing
Precision is key in creating openings or specialized features vital for the medical catheter's functionality. Laser processing like ablation or metal tube cutting ensures accuracy in this crucial step. Laser could be utilized to process the catheter OD to create windows & holes as well as laser cutting tubes (plastic or metal) for ID catheter support and steerability.
Flexible Torque Shaft Catheter Assembly
2. Bonding and Assembly
Medical device components like connectors, valves, and balloons are assembled with meticulous care, ensuring a seamless integration that meets the highest standards. Cardiac Ablation catheters are assembled from extruded tubes with multiple lumens in the tube and small wire electrodes that are laser welded to fine conductor wires. These conductors are carefully placed inside of extruded sleeves and connected through an outer handle to an electrical connector.
Densyty High Capacity Electrical Inter Connect
3. Quality Control and Testing
Rigorous testing, including visual inspection, mechanical and electrical tests, form a critical part of the medical catheter manufacturing process. This ensures that the catheters not only meet but exceed safety and quality standards.
Application use case for Medical Catheters
• Electrophysiology Catheter
An electrophysiology (EP) study serves as a crucial test to assess the heart's electrical system, diagnosing abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmias. In this procedure, catheters with wire & electrode assemblies are inserted through blood vessels, reaching the heart. These catheters measure the heart's electrical activity per location creating an electrical “Map” of the heart muscle. This map aids in accurate diagnoses and treatment planning.
• Heart Catheters
In cardiac catheterization, a long, thin, flexible tube (heart catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel in the arm, groin, upper thigh, or neck. The catheter is carefully threaded through blood vessels to the heart. These cardiac catheters are versatile, facilitating balloon angioplasties, stent placement, examinations of heart valves, or the collection of blood or heart muscle samples, offering crucial insights for comprehensive cardiac assessments.
• Heart Valve Delivery Catheter (TAVR)
The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure stands out as a minimally invasive option for individuals with a narrowed or dysfunctional aortic valve (aortic valve stenosis). AMETEK EMC's catheter components and assemblies contribute to the success of TAVR, involving the replacement of the aortic valve without open-heart surgery. TAVR not only reduces the invasiveness with smaller incisions but also alleviates chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms associated with aortic valve stenosis.
Electrophysiology Mapping Catheter
• Severe Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a condition where blood clots, usually originating from deep veins, block arteries in the lungs. In severe cases of PE, catheters are occasionally employed for catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), delivering clot-dissolving medications directly to the pulmonary arteries, offering a targeted intervention to break down clots and improve blood circulation.
• Central Venous Catheter (CVC)
A central venous catheter (CVC) is a slender tube inserted near the heart, allowing direct access to the central venous system for administering fluids, medications, blood products, and nutritional support. Central venous catheters (CVCs) come in various types, each serving specific medical needs. Here are some common types of CVCs:
1. Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICC lines): These catheters are inserted through a peripheral vein, often in the arm, and threaded through to the central veins. They are suitable for longer-term intravenous treatments.
2. Tunneled Catheters: These catheters are tunneled under the skin before entering a central vein, providing stability and reduced infection risk. They are often used for extended therapies.
Flexible Structural Heart Catheter Anchor
Excellence in Medical Catheter Design and Catheter Contract Manufacturing
AMETEK EMC, leveraging its renowned brands like Avicenna, TSE, and Laserage, provides innovative catheter designs in support of advancing catheter technology. Specializing in cardiac mapping and ablation catheters, AMETEK EMC employs sophisticated medical manufacturing techniques to ensure precision, reliability, and ingenuity in every catheter produced.
With over two decades of experience in medical equipment manufacturing, particularly in catheters, AMETEK EMC leads the way in shaping the future of healthcare technology. Committed to maintaining its position at the forefront of medical technology, the business remains a leader in developing next-generation intravascular catheters that enhance patient care, and meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals.