Medical Design Briefs - March 2024 - 20

TECHNOLOGY LEADERS Tubing/Extrusion
Automated Extrusion:
Changing a Tubing Profile
During Production
T
ubing for wound draining is an
essential medical component
used to manage the drainage of
fluids from surgical or traumatic
wounds. This tubing is commonly employed
after surgical procedures to facilitate
the removal of excess fluids (such as
blood or serous fluid) from the wound
site, or in traumatic Injuries where there
is a need to control and remove fluids
to aid in the healing process. Other uses
include draining abscesses or fluid collections,
helping to prevent infection,
and promote faster healing, or to manage
fluid accumulation in body cavities,
preventing complications like seromas
or hematomas. By removing excess fluids,
tubing promotes a cleaner wound
environment, which is conducive to faster
healing.
Drain tubes can be inserted prophylactically
to prevent or remove the accumulation
of fluid in a wound. Alternatively,
such tubing can also be therapeutically
inserted to evacuate an existing collec20
Tubing
for wound drainage can help prevent infection, promote
faster healing, or manage fluid accumulation. (Credit: Guill Tool)
tion of fluid in a wound. Drain tubes can
also be used to diagnose post-operative
complications such as an anastomotic
leak or hemorrhage.
Tubing for wound draining plays a
critical role in postoperative care and
wound management by preventing fluid
buildup, reducing complications, and
promoting a conducive environment for
healing. The choice of tubing depends
on the specific needs of the patient and
the nature of the surgical or traumatic
condition.
Product Innovation
For many reasons, a tubing manufacturer
may need or want to change a
tubing profile during production. These
changes could be driven by various factors,
each aimed at improving the manufacturing
process, product performance,
or meeting specific customer requirements.
The decision to change a tubing
profile during production is often driven
by a combination of factors, including a
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desire for innovation, market demands,
cost-effectiveness, regulatory compliance,
and improvements in efficiency or
performance.
Product Improvement. Manufacturers
may seek to enhance tubing performance,
functionality, or design to stay
competitive in the market. This could
involve introducing new materials, modifying
the geometry, or incorporating advanced
features for improved efficiency
or usability.
Cost Reduction. Changes in a tubing
profile might be driven by a desire to
optimize the manufacturing process and
reduce production costs. This could involve
using more cost-effective materials,
altering the design to minimize waste, or
improving the efficiency of production
techniques.
Compliance. Changes in tubing profiles
may be necessary to ensure compliance
with industry standards, regulations,
or specific customer requirements.
Manufacturers may need to adjust the
Medical Design Briefs, March 2024
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Medical Design Briefs - March 2024

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