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POLYMED™ composites exhibit performance characteristics superior to that of thermoplastic materials and competitive metallic materials. Our POLYMED™ family of tubing has been used for years in laparoscopic surgical procedures and external orthopedic components. This line of material is also produced in structural configurations, similar to that of metallic extrusions, which can perform like metal but possess the properties of a composite.

Polygon is also pioneering the introduction of Continuous Fiber Thermoplastics CFT™ which substitutes thermoplastic resin systems for thermoset. All POLYMED™ composites are of continuous fibers, which mean they are always superior in strength to that of filled, short fiber or long fiber thermoplastics via injection molding or extrusion. Most typically POLYMED™ tubes are used in applications where metallic materials need to be either shielded or coated to prevent capacitance coupling situations.

From cannula to structural components, the POLYMED™ family of composites will do the job, while at the same time providing better value. In most applications POLYMED™ composites provide multi-functional properties allowing the design engineer to use one material rather than several. Composites are anisotropic so fiber placement can be tailored to suit the application requirement.

POLYMED™ Tubing Product Offerings

The POLYMED™ tubing product line has three distinct product offerings.

• Braided Tubing
• Circumferentially Wound (CW) tubing
• Unidirectional(UD) Tubing

Fiber architecture adaptations; for braided, CW or UD are currently used in many minimally invasive surgical procedures. Sizes range from 3mm up to 20mm. POLYMED™ tubing is available in wall thickness as thin as 0.23 mm. All tubing processes can accommodate single or multi-lumen requirements. POLYMED™ tubing can be sterilized using conventional sterilization methods.

The CW (circumferentially wound) and UD (unidirectional wound) tubing process refers to the geometry option of the braided fiber rather than the material selection. Braiding is a process that interweaves or interlocks the fibers into a circular shape, this can include other symmetrical geometrical shapes. This interweaving provides a micro-structure similar to that of a bridge truss system. This process also uses an electrical grade continuous fiberglass material encapsulated within a thermoset resin matrix. Braiding offers a unique solution for very thin wall applications. Some have been as thin as .23mm. In some unique applications secondary unidirectional fibers can be added to increase the tensile strength.