New Plastics Could Replace Metal Monofilaments for MR, X-Ray

Putnam Plastics of Dayville, CT is commercializing a proprietary plastics extrusion process that could develop non-metal custom monofilaments for MR and X-Ray devices, the company announced this week. The technology could be used to create non-magnetic, x-ray transparent fibers that would replace the metallic versions currently used in such devices. In a statement accompanying its press release, Putnam general manager Ray Rilling said, "There is no off-the-shelf source for medical monofilaments with diameters greater than 0.025 inch (0.64mm). Our monofilament lines are built for custom medical applications, with capabilities for processing the broadest range of sizes and materials for device prototypes through production."