Teaming Up For Solutions: A Product of Our Time
Crane Engineering’s JEOL 5800LV Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Noran Voyager III Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS) offer an unsurpassed analytical tool to meet clients’ varied needs. The low-vacuum SEM allows samples to be examined without extensive preparation. Here are just a few examples of how Crane Engineering has helped its SEM/EDS clients.
Problem:
A client turned to Crane Engineering when one of their important study animals was diagnosed with a tear in its lung. This situation provided an opportunity to test special staples and examine the efficacy of the seal between the lung and the bovine pericardium tissue used for repair. Surgeons removed sample tissue and explanted it into saline solution to preserve it so the seal could be immediately tested.
A client turned to Crane Engineering when one of their important study animals was diagnosed with a tear in its lung. This situation provided an opportunity to test special staples and examine the efficacy of the seal between the lung and the bovine pericardium tissue used for repair. Surgeons removed sample tissue and explanted it into saline solution to preserve it so the seal could be immediately tested.
Solution:
Crane Engineering’s expert staff used a custom fixture to hold this type of sample and loaded it into the SEM/EDS low-vacuum chamber. No drying or coating of the sample was necessary. The low-vacuum capabilities allowed for excellent photography showing the tissue had sealed well. The client used these photos, along with videotapes of the surgery, to submit to the FDA for review – a solid package of proof that the new staple worked.
Crane Engineering’s expert staff used a custom fixture to hold this type of sample and loaded it into the SEM/EDS low-vacuum chamber. No drying or coating of the sample was necessary. The low-vacuum capabilities allowed for excellent photography showing the tissue had sealed well. The client used these photos, along with videotapes of the surgery, to submit to the FDA for review – a solid package of proof that the new staple worked.
Problem:
A medical company that manufactures stents contacted Crane Engineering when its stent began failing during fatigue testing. Stents that broke before the one millionth bending cycle were sent to Crane Engineering for analysis. What was causing the failure in the stent wires?
A medical company that manufactures stents contacted Crane Engineering when its stent began failing during fatigue testing. Stents that broke before the one millionth bending cycle were sent to Crane Engineering for analysis. What was causing the failure in the stent wires?
Solution:
Using the SEM/EDS, Crane Engineering identified that inclusions were weakening the stents and causing them to break prematurely. The medical company was then able to go back to its wire manufacturers and work with them to reduce inclusion size, thus ensuring long-term stent use and viability.
Using the SEM/EDS, Crane Engineering identified that inclusions were weakening the stents and causing them to break prematurely. The medical company was then able to go back to its wire manufacturers and work with them to reduce inclusion size, thus ensuring long-term stent use and viability.
Problem:
When a newly designed polymer catheter had consistent failures, a medical-products company called on Crane Engineering to evaluate the cause. Tensile testing had shown the catheters were breaking in the same area, time after time.
When a newly designed polymer catheter had consistent failures, a medical-products company called on Crane Engineering to evaluate the cause. Tensile testing had shown the catheters were breaking in the same area, time after time.
Solution:
When the polymer’s fracture face was analyzed by the SEM/EDS, it showed differences in the molding melt temperatures, resulting in uneven strength. Upon evaluation of this information, the manufacturer decided to change the molding design to eliminate the failure problem.
When the polymer’s fracture face was analyzed by the SEM/EDS, it showed differences in the molding melt temperatures, resulting in uneven strength. Upon evaluation of this information, the manufacturer decided to change the molding design to eliminate the failure problem.
Crane Engineering and Forensic Services offers a range of forensic engineering, investigative and technical consulting services to serve the medical technology industry, the legal profession, and industrial and commercial clients.