Following the placement of the liner over the mandrel during catheter shaft construction is the braiding. Braiding provides strengthening and mechanical reinforcement to the catheter. While most catheters are produced with metal braiding, advances in polymer technology have led to the development of improved monofilament and fiber braidings.

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Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) Monofilament

LCP has significant advantages for catheter construction and as a monofilament, out-performs almost all other plastic or polymer braiding media. LCP is strong and rivals even stainless steel in some areas. Because LCP is a non-metal, however, catheters made with LCP braiding are compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – a highly preferred trait.

Key Benefits:

• High Strength
• Class VI Approved
• Low Elongation

Catheters made with LCP show excellent torque transmission, pushability, and distal end deflectability. LCP is available in both round and rectangular profiles.

LCP MONOFILAMENT vs. STAINLESS STEEL
Material	Zeus LCP Monofilament	304 Stainless Steel (annealed)	Stainless Steel (spring tempered)
Dimension (in./mm.)	0.003 / 0.076	0.003 / 0.076	0.003 / 0.076
Average Tensile Strength (Gpa)	1.20	1.00	2.30
Average Elongation at Break (%)	1.7	31.1	1.7
Average Tensile Modulus (Gpa)	75.0	134.5	202.7

LCP can be wound onto Steeger and Wardwell bobbins and onto DIN 160 spools. If you are using a Steeger carrier, ask about Steeger’s maintenance program to help you maintain consistent PPI, braid angle, and increase productivity.

Other Braiding Materials

While LCP for catheter braiding is our flagship monofilament, we also offer other non-metallic braiding materials that you may find helpful including:

• PEEK
• FEP
• ETFE
• PFA
• PVDF

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