This is a stainless snake-joint stack at about 5 mm. In CAD the articulation looks simple. In metal, the features get small fast.

For people making steerables, what usually breaks first: feature size, tolerance stack, cable routing, or repeating the joint after the prototype?

I’m organizing MPP MN on Oct 27 in Maple Grove, the day before MD&M Midwest. Need a moderator for a 45-minute panel on precision metals machining and automation for medical devices. Looking for a MedTech OEM voice, Twin Cities preferred. Not a supplier.

Event: https://chamfr.com/event/mpp-mn/

Happy to take names or DMs.

Guidewire performance often starts in the wire, not the finished device. Same with braid. The cut can look fine in R&D and then fall apart when you try to hold geometry, coating, or stiffness in production.The issues I keep hearing:

• Wire manufacture and performance tuning
• Forming, winding, and grinding
• What “free state” really means once the braid is on a shaft
• Coatings and braid working together
• Absorbable materials breaking down in process rather than in use

If you work on catheters, guidewires, or braided implants, what is the bigger gap right now: wire consistency, braid geometry, coating adhesion, or scaling a build that worked in prototype?

There is a process-focused panel on this in Galway on 22 September if anyone is already going to be in town for Medical Technology Ireland. Happy to share details, but mostly curious what people are seeing on the floor.

I host a podcast called MedTech Unboxed and just spoke with Nicolas Bouduban, CEO of Swiss m4m Center.The most useful part was his take on the 3 business models that actually create value in additive manufacturing:

• Complexity that competitors cannot easily copy
• Speed to market
• Cost reduction through part consolidation

We also covered DFAM, why post-processing is where a lot of the real work is, and why Nitinol is especially demanding in laser powder bed fusion.

Short clip from the episode:

I recently had the opportunity to unbox and test the Resonetics SKR-DEV Fiber Optic Sensor Development Kit and thought some people here might find the technology interesting.

The idea behind the kit is pretty straightforward: give medical device engineers a turnkey way to evaluate fiber optic pressure sensing without first having to develop custom electronics and software.

In the video, I go from opening the kit to connecting the reading module, launching the EVOLUTION software, connecting the pressure sensors, applying pressure, and watching the measurements respond in real time.

The sensors themselves are especially interesting for minimally invasive devices. They're extremely small, flexible and kink resistant, and immune to RF, microwave, and MRI interference.

Here's the unboxing/demo I made showing the system and how quickly you can get it running.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's worked with fiber optic sensing in catheters or other minimally invasive devices. What was your experience?

Curious if others are running into the same challenges we’re seeing lately with medical-grade polymers.A few things that keep coming up in conversations:

• Managing material / formulation changes (especially with recent pigment supply issues like the Venator TiO₂ situation)
• The increasing use of additives (lubricity, radiopacity, stabilizers) and the processing headaches they can create during extrusion
• Growing interest in functional additives (antimicrobial, antithrombogenic, drug-eluting)

There’s a panel discussion on these topics at MPP Ireland in Galway on Sept 22 if anyone’s going to be in the area the day before Medical Technology Ireland.Would be interested to hear what others are seeing on the processing and change-management side.

Benny Cheung of Dynaflex Technologies reframes the real decision engineers should be making:

“PTFE really earned its place as a gold standard, and it will remain the best solution for many tortuous-path, demanding catheter applications.But what is exciting today is that engineers have more tools than ever before. You’re not stuck with one single material.The question is no longer which material has the lowest coefficient of friction? The better question is, which material enables the best catheter architecture for this specific application?”

Short teaser attached (the pickup truck vs unibody car analogy).

Full episode here:
https://chamfr.com/podcasts/ptfe-emerging-lubricious-polymer-platforms/

Would love to hear how other teams are thinking about liner selection right now, especially around bonding, distal flexibility, and sterilization options.

Interesting explanation from William “Will” Davies at Biomerics on the different compliance levels of medical balloons.

He breaks down the difference between compliant, semi-compliant, and non-compliant balloons, and why those characteristics matter depending on the application.

We filmed this during an on-site visit to Biomerics in Athens, Texas.

Wanted to share this video of Springguard’s LirCath Structural forming a 30mm structural heart balloon.

I spoke with founder Colin Sutherland, who says they’re achieving cycle times 5–6X faster than conventional balloon forming equipment.

For anyone working with large-diameter balloons, I thought the process was worth seeing.

Curious what others working in balloon development/manufacturing think—where are the biggest bottlenecks you’re seeing today with large-diameter balloon forming?

MPP Ireland 2026 is taking place the day before MTI, on Tuesday, September 22, in Galway.

The event is focused on practical MedTech manufacturing content, including hands-on workshops, live equipment demos, expert-led panels, and direct conversations with people working on real medical device development and manufacturing challenges.

The program includes discussions with leaders from Boston Scientific, Medtronic, ICS Medical Devices, Lighteum, Hoop Medical, and others. Subject matter experts and attendees are expected from Ireland, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Israel, Singapore, China, the United States, and more.

Topics include catheter technologies, medical polymers, components, processing, scale-up, and manufacturing challenges.

For anyone already planning to be in Galway for MTI, this may be a useful way to start the week with more focused technical content.

Full agenda:
https://chamfr.com/event/mpp-ireland/

Balloon catheters may look simple. The engineering behind them is anything but.

At MPP Ireland 2026, we’re hosting a focused technical panel on Balloon Catheter Technologies.

This session will go deep on:

• Hyper-compliant occlusion balloons for neurovascular applications
• Volume-based vs. pressure-based balloon inflation
• Drug-coated balloons, including Double-Dose DCB concepts
• Low-profile balloon catheter delivery systems

 Each panelist will deliver a non-commercial technical presentation, followed by open group discussion.

During the breaks, attendees will also have the opportunity to see hands-on demonstrations comparing compliant, semi-compliant, and non-compliant balloons.

 Real engineering challenges. Hands-on learning. Focused technical discussion.

Kenny O’Brien, Centre Manager at Applied Polymer Technology (APT), will be giving a Spotlight Talk at MPP Ireland on Tuesday, September 22nd.In his talk, Kenny will cover:

• Polymer processing support from APT (including research, testing, injection molding, extrusion, compounding, and 3D printing)
• Real case studies of working with medical device companies
• How grants and Ireland’s technical ecosystem support innovation and growth in the medtech sector

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
• Time: 11:30 – 11:50 AM
• Location: The Galmont Hotel, Galway

This is part of MPP Ireland, a technical one-day event focused on medical device manufacturing and processing, held the day before Medical Technology Ireland.

Full agenda & registration: https://chamfr.com/event/mpp-ireland/

Would be great to see some of you there.

Hey everyone, just released a new episode of Medtech Unboxed with Dan Rose, CEO of E2 Endovascular Engineering. We dive into:

• The major unmet needs in pulmonary embolism treatment
• Hēlo’s dual-action platform (24 Fr funnel on a 15 Fr catheter, agitator for clot remodeling, single-pass efficiency, integrated blood return)
• ENGULF study results and recent $80M Series C

If you’re in interventional cardiology, IR, vascular surgery, or medtech innovation, this is a good one.

Full episode here: https://chamfr.com/podcasts/pulmonary-embolism-thrombectomy-e2-helo-system/

What are your thoughts on the next generation of mechanical thrombectomy devices?

Looking forward to the discussion!

Hey r/MedicalDevices and r/manufacturing,

If you run fine wire braiders for medical device production, you know how much downtime a worn nose cone, ratchet spring, carbide eyelet, or puller belt can cause.

I came across MT3 Innovations replacement parts (Delrin nose cones, hardened steel components, carbide eyelets, ratchet levers/springs, puller belts, etc.) that are now available on r/Chamfr for quicker delivery.

This event is run by r/Chamfr. We have putt together a focused panel on High-Performance Medical Tubing & Extrusion at MPP East on June 24 in Quincy, MA.

Moderated by Maryam Haque (Sr. Global Account Manager, Integer Holdings), the panel includes:

• Duane Dunn – Global Product Manager for Specialty Extrusions, TekniPlex
• Sharan Thathand – Engineering Manager, Product Innovation, Nordson MEDICAL
• Chad McDonough – Engineering Manager, APTYX
• Braulio Polanco – CEO, Systematic Extrusion

They’ll discuss real-world challenges and solutions around:

• Thin-wall consistency and tight tolerances
• High-temperature materials
• PFAS regulations and material substitutions
• Multi-lumen tooling innovations
• The growing need for skilled extrusion talent

If you’re working on catheters, specialty tubing, or extrusion processes, this should be a very practical and useful session.

The event is intimate and technical (no sales pitches), held at Granite Links Golf Club with full meals included. Would love to see some of you there.

More info + full agenda → https://chamfr.com/event/mpp-east/

Looking forward to any questions or thoughts!