Catheter Reflow and Assembly Aids

Catheter construction requires the outer jacket to be bonded to the underlying liner. To facilitate this step, a heat-shrinkable fusing sleeve is typically used as an assembly aid.  With the application of heat, the fusing sleeve shrinks, applying radial compression while the outer jacket melts (reflows) through the braiding and bonds to the outer etched PTFE liner, ultimately forming the catheter shaft. After the reflow process is complete, the fusing sleeve is removed from the catheter leaving a finished device.

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FluoroPEELZ™ Peelable Heat Shrink

The premier fusing sleeve from Zeus is FluoroPEELZ™ – our peelable heat shrink. This super-easy-to-use heat shrink quickly and easily peels away from the catheter shaft after reflow minimizing scrap and improving manufacturing efficiencies. To start the peel, our size-specific FluoroPEELZ™ slit fixture safely encapsulates the razor blade assuring that you get a precisely centered cut which enhances the linear tear. Just slit the end of the FluoroPEELZ™, peel it back, and move on!

Key Benefits:
  • Enhanced Safety
  • Accelerated Production
  • Improved Yields

FluoroPEELZ™ is USP Class VI medical grade approved, has high optical clarity for easy visual monitoring during reflow, and provides a smooth and void-free exterior finish. FluoroPEELZ™ peelable heat shrink is also available in black translucent for use with laser based recovery methods.

FluoroPEELZ™ Available Size Ranges (Typical)
Expanded ID Recovered ID Wall Thickness Shrink Ratio
in. mm. in. mm. in. mm.
0.017 to 0.287 0.431 to 7.290 0.013 to 0.217 0.330 to 5.512 0.007 to 0.012 0.178 to 0.305 1.3:1
0.015 to 0.292 0.381 to 7.417 0.020 to 0.208 0.508 to 5.283 0.007 to 0.012 0.178 to 0.305 1.4:1
0.020 to 0.300 0.508 to 7.62 0.013 to 0.200 0.330 to 5.08 0.008 to 0.012 0.203 to 0.305 1.5:1
0.025 to 0.300 0.635 to 7.62 0.015 to 0.188 0.381 to 4.775 0.008 to 0.013 0.203 to 0.330 1.6:1
0.030 to 0.150 0.762 to 3.81 0.017 to 0.088 0.432 to 2.235 0.010 to 0.013 0.254 to 0.330 1.7:1
0.038 to 0.150 0.965 to 3.81 0.021 to 0.083 0.533 to 2.108 0.010 to 0.013 0.254 to 0.330 1.8:1
0.039 to .0150 0.991 to 3.81 0.021 to 0.079 0.533 to 2.007 0.010 to 0.013 0.254 to 0.330 1.9:1
0.030 to 0.150 0.762 to 3.81 0.015 to 0.381 0.381 to 9.677 0.010 to 0.013 0.254 to 0.330 2.0:1

FEP Heat Shrink

For other recovery options, FEP heat shrink may be your preferred method. Just like FluoroPEELZ™, FEP heat shrink offers exceptional chemical resistance and is Class VI approved.

Key Benefits:
  • Chemical Resistance
  • Similar Recovery Temperature To FluoroPEELZ™
  • Optical Clarity
FEP Heat Shrink Available Size Ranges (Typical)
Expanded ID Recovered ID Wall Thickness Ratio
in. mm. in. mm. in. mm.
0.031 to 0.400 0.79 to 11.18 0.027 to 0.349 0.69 to 8.86 0.008 to 0.012 0.20 to 0.30 1.3:1
0.093 to 2.000 2.36 to 50.80 0.056 to 1.200 1.42 to 30.48 0.008 to 0.030 0.20 to 0.76 1.6:1
0.034 to 0.385 0.86 to 9.78 0.017 to 0.193 0.43 to 4.89 0.010 to 0.013 0.25 to 0.33 2.0:1

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