In the medical field, accuracy is not just a requirement-it is a necessity that determines the success of a surgical procedure. Invasive instruments such as hypodermic needles, catheters, and surgical probes require a reliable measurement system that allows physicians to accurately determine the depth of insertion into the patient’s body.
Traditionally, these measurements were made using mechanical printing or engraving techniques, with limitations in terms of durability, accuracy, and resistance to sterilization cycles. The need for permanent, accurate and sterilizable marking has pushed the industry toward more technologically advanced solutions.
The 360-degree circular laser marking technology
360° circular marking represents the technological evolution for creating depth markers on needles, catheters, and other invasive medical instruments. This technique takes advantage of laser precision combined with a controlled rotary motion of the part to be marked.
The process works like this:
- The medical instrument is placed on a precision spindle
- The spindle rotates at a constant and controlled speed
- The laser hits the surface as the device rotates
- Simultaneously, the laser or workpiece moves along the longitudinal axis
- The combination of the two movements creates a perfectly circular band around the instrument
Modern picosecond laser marking systems offer significant advantages for this application. With extremely short pulses (on the order of 10^-12 seconds), these lasers transfer energy to the material with minimal thermal impact, creating high-contrast markings without damaging the delicate structures of medical instruments.
Practical applications in the medical industry
360-degree circular marking finds application in many critical instruments:
- Hypodermic and spinal needles: markings indicate depth of penetration during spinal anesthesia or cerebrospinal fluid sampling
- Vascular catheters: circular bands help clinicians monitor how far the catheter has been inserted into the vascular system
- Biopsy instruments: allow you to control the depth of sampling
- Endoscopic probes: provide visual references during exploration procedures
- Surgical cannulas: allow monitoring of insertion depth during less invasive procedures.
The pinpoint accuracy of these markings is critical in procedures such as epidurals, where a few millimeters can make the difference between a safe procedure and potentially serious complications.
LASIT’s solutions for circular marking of medical instruments
LASIT has developed specialized systems for circular marking of needles, catheters, and probes that meet industry-specific needs:
FlyRing Medical System
The FlyRing Medical system is specifically designed to make circular markings on small-diameter medical instruments. Key features:
- High-precision spindle with constant speed rotation control
- Picosecond laser for high-quality markings on various medical materials
- Integrated vision system for verification of marking quality
- Dedicated software interface for precise programming of measurement bands
- Compliance with ISO 13485 standards for medical devices
The picosecond laser used in the FlyRing Medical system offers numerous advantages specific to the medical industry:
- Cold marking: ultra-fast energy transfer minimizes thermal effects, preserving the structural integrity of delicate medical instruments
- High contrast: produces intense black markings on metallic materials, improving readability of depth markings
- Smooth surfaces: does not create micro-fractures or roughness that could facilitate bacterial growth or cause tissue trauma
- Compatibility with nanomaterials: ideal for modern medical instruments with special coatings
The benefits of circular laser marking for medical instrument manufacturers
The adoption of circular laser marking technology brings many benefits:
- Millimeter accuracy: critical for instruments used in delicate procedures
- Durability: markings withstand hundreds of autoclave sterilization cycles
- Readability: high contrast ensuring visibility even in difficult lighting conditions
- Process control: each marking can be automatically verified by vision systems
- Traceability: possibility of integrating DataMatrix codes along with measurement bands
- Regulations: compliance with FDA requirements for permanent marking of medical instruments
Practical case: marking of epidural needles
A leading manufacturer of epidural anesthesia needles needed a marking system that would ensure absolute accuracy for depth bands. Epidural needles require millimeter control of insertion to avoid complications during the procedure.
LASIT provided a FlyRing Medical system with picosecond laser configured for:
- Marking needles with diameters from 0.7mm to 1.4mm
- Creation of circular bands at predefined distances (every 10mm)
- Automatic verification of the quality of each marking
- Integration with the manufacturer’s traceability system
The result was a 98.7 percent increase in marking accuracy over the previous system, with zero rejects due to inaccurate markings and a 40 percent increase in production speed.
360-degree circular laser marking with picosecond technology is now the gold standard for the medical industry in creating depth markers on needles, catheters, and probes, providing healthcare professionals with the precision needed for safe and effective interventions.
