Electron beam welding in the medical industry

Heart pacemaker capsule

Prosthetic hip replacement

Diverse EB technologies are widely applied in various forms in the medical industry; TWI has had involvement in many medical EB projects, ranging from equipment design to process application.

Electron Beam welding (EBW) has characteristics that lend the process to medical applications. The precise, high integrity welds that are possible with minimal heat input make a variety of fabrications via EBW attractive. The inherently inert vacuum environment makes for safe and predictable processing, even of very reactive materials such as Titanium alloys. The EBW process has been used to advantage e.g. for joint prostheses, heart pacemaker capsules for a number of years.

Electron beam surface processing technologies, such as EB texturing (EBT) and Surfi-Sculpt ^® offer a variety of benefits in this field. Enhanced mechanical bonding, chemical alterations, coating adhesion, and otherwise improved biocompatibility are all potential fields for exploitation for these fascinating new techniques.

Other EB related technologies in the medical sector include high voltage electron gun design for x-ray generators. Ever-increasing demands for low patient x-ray doses combined with even better resolution place the emphasis on improved electron gun design; something TWI's EB group has a good track record in.

TWI has carried out various projects relating to these and other medical applications, involving consultancy, design studies, and laboratory tests and development on prototype parts. Our unique range of skills within the EB group is backed up by TWI's other wide-ranging facilities, giving unique possibilities for development and demonstration of new technologies and applications.

Contact: electronbeam@twi.co.uk