Ultrafast Laser Technology Enables Precise, Athermal Ablation of
Difficult-to-Machine Noble Metals
PETALUMA, Calif.–(Business Wire)–
Raydiance, Inc., the world`s leading developer of ultrafast laser technology,
announced today that it has demonstrated the ability to machine precise,
micron-resolution features in gold and platinum, two of the more
difficult-to-process materials used in advanced medical devices. Raydiance
engineers achieved the results using the company`s Smart LightTM 50 femtosecond
pulse laser integrated into a Rofin StarCut Tube workstation.
Due to their radiopacity, resistance to corrosion, and high electrical
conductivity, gold and platinum, in particular, are showing increasing utility
in medical devices, including heart rhythm leads, cardiovascular stents, and
guide wires used for cardiovascular procedures. In the latter two applications,
the precious metals are used as X-ray markers to better enable surgeons to see
devices during procedures.
“Medical device manufacturers have a very difficult time machining precise
features in these ductile noble metals,” said Scott Davison, president of
Raydiance. “Traditional tools-mechanical saws, electron discharge machining, and
even nanosecond lasers-introduce all kinds of burrs and thermal effects that
necessitate costly post-processing. The Raydiance platform provides an
efficient, athermal solution to this manufacturing problem.”
Raydiance`s ultrafast laser ablates through non-linear optical breakdown, a
process that enables micron-resolution ablation of virtually any material
without transferring heat to the part being machined.
About Raydiance
Raydiance is the world`s leading developer of ultrafast laser technology. It has
integrated fiber optic, computing and software technologies to create the
world`s only industrial-grade ultrafast laser. The company is focused on
providing transformative, reliable and cost-effective solutions for the medical
device manufacturing, medical therapies, industrial laser processing,
biosciences, and defense markets. Raydiance is led by famed technology visionary
Barry Schuler, former Chairman and CEO of AOL.
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Raydiance, Inc.
Adam C. Tanous, 208-450-9060
Director of Marketing
atanous@raydiance.com
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