Springs in Medical Devices
At Stanley Spring & Stamping Corporation, we are proud advocates of the spring. This often used, underrated piece of engineering is essential to so many of the products and equipment we use on a daily basis. It’s especially critical for use in medical devices, as the quality and durability of the springs can impact the health and well-being of patients.
Medical devices use many different kinds of springs. Springs are simple, yet essential to the workings of some of the most advanced, sophisticated medical equipment in use today by doctors and other healthcare professionals.
At Stanley Spring, we are specialists in custom spring fabrication. We know all there is to know about the complexities of the simple spring, including its’ importance for use in medical devices.
There are many products and devices in the medical industry that use springs, including:
- Catheters
- Endoscopic devices
- Syringes
- Pill dispensers
- Inhalers
- Wheelchairs
- Surgical tools and instruments
- Staple guns
- Orthopedic tools
- Suction lines
- Catheter valves
- Peristaltic pumps
- Anesthetic infusion
- Sterilization valves
- Shunt valves
- Diagnostic and monitoring devices
Quality and Experience in the Medical Industry
Springs come in all shapes and sizes. At Stanley Spring, we custom-make springs for specific uses. Our spring quality exceeds ISO 9001 certification and we’re experienced in working with the strict quality requirements needed for springs used in medical devices.
Spring Sizes
Springs are used in all kind of applications, for all sorts of purposes and for many different medical products. As such, springs come in a wide range of sizes – an inhaler, for example, would use a micro-spring.
Spring Materials
At Stanley Spring, we make springs in a wide range of materials, including:
- Hard-drawn wire
- Elgiloy
- Bronze
- Nickel
- Chrome
- Silver
Resistance to heat, strength, and corrosion are factors that you should consider when picking material for your spring.
Spring Tolerance
Different springs require different tolerances. For example, tight tolerance springs are used in the manufacture of minimally invasive handheld surgical devices
Choosing the right material for your spring, as above, is essential. Metals can also be heat treated, powder coated and more, in order to improve tolerance.
Spring Affordability
The materials chosen must also be affordable, bearing in mind the cost of producing the item they’ll become a part of and the selling price. This is an important step to determine, as springs are just one of many essential parts that comprise the entire cost of production for critical medical equipment.
Types of Springs Used in Medical Devices
Some of the springs Stanley Spring regularly custom fabricates for clients in the healthcare industry include:
- Compression springs. A compression spring is used for devices that need to create a squeezing action, an example being a stapler during surgery.
- Tension springs. Tension springs are used to bring two components back when they are pulled in the opposite direction. Stretchers and surgical lights are examples.
- Torsion springs. Torsion springs give a rotational movement and are often used when a bending action is required. A dental x-ray unit is a great example of a medical device that uses these kinds of springs.
Learn More About Springs!
There’s plenty more to learn about springs and their part in how things work. Thank you for reading, and for appreciating the role of the spring!
Contact Stanley Spring and Stamping to find out more, or to get started on a custom spring fabrication project for your medical device and equipment today.