Piezoceramics in Medical Technology
CeramTec is a world leader in the design and manufacture of piezoelectric ceramic, sensors, transducers and dielectric components for the medical market, including medical instrumentation, therapeutic and diagnostic equipment, surgical tools and in drug delivery and dialysis equipment.
Our lead-free piezoceramics can be a suitable alternative to lead-containing materials, particularly in medical technology or medical devices.
Our superior piezoelectric ceramic components enable increased resolution of ultrasonic imaging and are used extensively in medical ultrasound. They are also the key technology in applications such as blood flow measurement and foetal heart monitors, providing increased reliability and accurate detection.
CeramTec provides High performance piezoelectric materials and fully assembled transducers, for higher power applications – such as ultrasonically assisted surgery, phacoemulsification and dental descaling. Our range of sensors designed to detect air bubbles and changes in pressure are critical components for infusion and dialysis equipment, protecting the lives of patients around the globe.
Discover more: CeramTec Medical Equipment
Hard Materials
- Surgical knives and other tools
- Lithotripters
- Plaque removal
- Ultrasonic ablation
- Ultrasonic nebulizers
- Ultrasonic diagnostics and therapy
- Phacoemulsification
- Molecular diagnostics
Soft Materials
- Bubble sensing
- Blood Processing Equipment
- Contrast Injectors
- Cardiopulmonary bypass
- Enteral Feeding Pumps
- Haemodialysis
- Infusion Pumps
- Liquid Dispensing
- Transfusions
A stack or langevin transducer consisting of several small piezoceramic rings oscillates in resonance at frequencies between 20 kHz and 80 kHz. This causes a small scalpel blade in a medical tool to vibrate, allowing the surgeon to perform minutely small, very precise cuts using substantially less cutting force and without damaging surrounding tissue.
Design: Rings
A large number of piezoceramic elements are attached to the inner side of a concave shell. A high-voltage pulse is applied simultaneously to all of these ceramics to produce a mechanical ultrasonic shock wave. Due to the concave form of the shell, the wave front can be focussed at one spot. The high energy in the focus of this shock wave shatters kidney stones and the fragments can leave the body naturally. This makes it possible to remove painful kidney or gall stones without any anaesthesia and or surgical intervention.
Design: Cylinder
A stack / langevin transducer consisting of two to eight small piezoceramic rings oscillates in resonance at frequencies between 20 kHz and 80 kHz and drives a dental medical tool in the form of a small scraper. The tip is cooled with water or special liquids. The high oscillating frequency of the tool at very small amplitudes (in the µm range) makes it possible to thoroughly remove plaque without damaging the tooth.
Design: Rings
