Customer: Medical Device Manufacturer
Application: Blood separators

Issues:

  • Previous bearing too expensive and experienced unacceptable failures
  • Exposed to air, mineral oil and autoclave sterilization

Solution

  • Durobal® bearing design – PET inner and outer portions, PET compounded cage, 302 stainless steel balls

Significant cost savings were achieved by going to a near net molded part versus the fully machined original. The solution has resulted in reduced service costs and lowered field failures.

This device separates platelets from blood, which can later be used to speed the healing process of wounds or supply hemophiliacs with clotting factor. A bearing is used to provide rotary fluid exchange between the collection tray and the separator unit. The bearing operates at room temperature and rotates at 1,680 rpm without coming into direct contact with the blood.

Blood Separators