With
advancements in every field of science, lasers have come to play a very vital
role in the evolution of many technological procedures. Operations in the
medical field, which required prolonged hospitalization and extensive recovery time,
can now be done with a radical time difference. The introduction of laser
technology has a big role in this change. Lasers have long been used to cut and
weld metals devices and other surgical instruments. More uses of this laser
technology have now been introduced to the world. These include making cuts to
the microns, highly resolved biocompatible markings that make traceability of
such instruments easier.
This
technology has the ability to mark any and all surfaces with so much as to
cause any damage to the chemical composition of the surface. This chemical
composition ensures that the surface does not corrode or gets intruded by
germs. It is known fact that a laser marked surface will retain its resistant
free furnish despite the years of use, cleaning and sterilization. This is just
one of the many advantages of laser marking systems.
There
is a lot more that goes in to such technological advancements than meets the
eye. Apart from the obvious benefit it has in the medical fields for all those
who are employed in the medical profession. There is always a regulatory
component in work behind the scenes, working for the improvements in the
identification and traceability of these medical instruments. Several years ago
there was legislation passed me the U.S. mandating that the FDA have
regulations establishing unique device identification (UDI) systems for medical
devices (source: ‘Unique Device Identification System’, Regulations govt.). The
main reason behind the implementation was the recollection of medical instruments
which may be needed to recalled, ultimately increasing patient safety. Later
correction came in this regulation which said that the markings should be done
the product itself for some particular products.
These
industry and vendor-specific markings often require that the instrument be
marked with long alpha numeric marks. For example the place, date, serial
numbers and other important details for tracking and traceability purposes. As
a result of this, permanent identification for product may reach the limit of
several digits. Now this is a problem for small products such as a pencil which
does not have infinite space on the product itself. In this case the accuracy
of laser systems is unmatchable. They are designed to create highly defined
markings, ID/2D matrix bar code of more than 20 digits in the space of only a
few millimetres.
There
are however, other alternatives marking metal devices. Hot foils, inkjet,
screen printing these are all very appropriate ways for commercial marking of
metallic devices. However they are unsuitable for marking of medical equipment.
This equipment includes apparatuses such as invasive surgical tools, implants
and others.
Lasers,
on the other hand is an extremely precise and accurate way of marking these
medical apparatuses. These devices are extremely sensitive since they are used
for invasive purpose, they include catheters, insulin pumps etc. Silicones and
polyamides which were once considered unmark able surfaces can now be marked
with lasers.
It
is on the basis of all these advancements and benefits that laser have gained
so much recognition and approval on the industrial level. Laser now, continues
to advance with its push technology. It continues to provide the user with
supreme precision, versatility, and cost-saving throughout the industry. Visit
to read more www.heatsign.com
