WALTHAM, MASS. - A new, extruded liquid crystal polymer that allows thinner walls and lighter weights than equivalent plastic tubing will be used in medical applications, manufacturer Superex Polymer Inc. of Waltham said. ACT Medical Inc., also of Waltham, will offer the product under license as ACTube later this year in endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical devices.
The firm said the LCP tube is extruded into patented biaxially oriented form producing an efficient strength-to-weight ratio with greater crush resistance and hoop strength. Costs are 30-60 percent less than fiber-reinforced composite tubes with similar properties, the firm said.
