Medical devices, big and small, rely on durable materials that can withstand demanding processes and repeated sterilization. Sapphire has proven to be one of the best crystalline materials for medical applications, offering the temperature stability and longevity needed to hold up in harsh medical environments.
Why Sapphire Is Ideal for Medical Devices
Sapphire’s physical properties lend well to use in medical devices, from imaging systems to surgical instruments. Next to diamond, sapphire offers the highest surface durability (9 mohs) of any optical material. Its strength makes it ideal for high-performance medical equipment such as endoscopes, where biocompatibility and abrasion-resistance are crucial.
Mechanically, both sapphire and ruby are naturally chemically inert and non-thrombogenic, meaning blood will not coagulate on the material. Additionally, these materials have excellent thermal properities, making them ideal to use as an insulator in applications such as implants and externally for hair removal systems. Sapphire’s high temperature stability (up to 2,000°C) makes it the best choice for the super-heated steam of autoclaves, as well as even harsher chemical sterilization techniques key to reducing the risk of postoperative infections.
Many studies prove sapphire’s success in various medical applications. A 2020 study demonstrated the use of sapphire in a range of medical applications, including laser therapy and cryosurgery application. The authors describe sapphire’s high transparency as well as other suitable physical properties.
Swiss Jewel’s Sapphire Products for the Medical Industry
Swiss Jewel Company has mastered the art of precision-engineering sapphire windows in smaller scales to suit the medical and endoscopic industry. We carry a broad range of stock sizes starting at diameters <1.0mm.
With more than 75 sizes in stock, from <1.0mm up to 76.2mm and larger, as well as the option of custom windows, Swiss Jewel has all of your sapphire needs covered. Contact us today, and we’ll assist you with your order.