E-RIM
Elast-EonTM Reaction Injection Molding
Elast-EonTM has been adapted for use with Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) to provide new and advantageous ways to make many medical devices. This new product will be sold as a two part reactive liquid system.
RIM processing has existed in high volume, high throughput manufacturing operations such as automotive and aerospace for decades. Typical applications include dashboards, bumpers and overhead bin panels.
The RUA Biomaterials team has developed Elast-EonTM and RIM technology for use in high-precision medical device components. This novel adaptation has resulted in the filing of new patent applications and has recently received considerable attention from some of the world’s largest medical device companies.
Some key advantages of Elast-EonTM and RIM
- High bond strength to substrates, typically 2500 psi or better to titanium
- Rapid molding cycles (typically 2 minutes)
- Low molding temperatures, typically 40-50 degrees C
- Low molding pressures due to low typical viscosities of 5000 centipoise
- Elast-EonTM performance (mechanical properties and biological stability)
- Manufacturing efficiency
Device designers are now taking advantage of Elast-EonTM and RIM to dramatically increase bond strengths or to create new products containing sensitive electronics and/or batteries that traditional injection molding would damage.
Medical manufacturing specialists are now starting to implement the Elast-EonTM and RIM technology to reduce the costs of producing devices and increase efficiency.
The first Elast-EonTM and RIM devices are moving toward human use in Neurostimulation devices, however, there is considerable interest for use in pacemaker headers, orthopaedics and spinal devices.