Workplace systems - joke Technology GmbH - #32

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i 533 However, even with implantable systems, success messages are the rule: In June 2002, the worldwide first implantation of the INCOR® system took place in the German Heart Centre in Berlin. Now almost five hundred implants have been announced. The longest time that a patient has been supported with INCOR®, will soon be almost six years. The oldest patient until now was in their late 70's. The INCOR® system consists of the implantable axial pump with hollow needles as well as external components such as control unit and batteries. The hollow needles connect the heart to the pump and this in turn to the aorta. The pump is connected to the battery via an external control unit. In the pump, a magnetically mounted impeller takes on the actual pump work with 5,000 to 10,000 rotations/minute. This magnetic mounting prevents rubbing and therefore heat production and wear, which makes the axial pump unique worldwide. It is a given that the highest standards are set for personnel, technology and processes in the production of the heart support system. And here in turn the surface finishing professionals at JOKE® make their contribution, their knowledge and products give the titanium parts of the INCOR® and EXCOR® blood pumps the finishing and crucial touch. A special, implantable titanium is used. The material comes finely turned into the company from a supplier. But at which point does polishing actually take place, where is the knowledge of JOKE® needed? With EXCOR® it is about working on the connectors, i.e. the connectors between the pump and the hollow needles. With INCOR® it is about the heart pieces of the pump, i.e. the impeller and the pre and post guide wheels. For a guaranteed optimised blood flow, all blood contact areas must be polished smooth as much as possible. In order to achieve this goal, diamond paste from the JOKE® Magic series is used. Polishing is carried out in three steps, with three grit sizes that are matched to each other from coarse to fine. Polishing felt is used as the carrier, as on the one hand it offers a high level of stability and on the other hand the right level of elasticity, in order to be able to work on difficult geometries. The "felt diamond paste combination" is driven by the electro motor system ENESKA 4-1, a classic from Joisten & Kettebaum. The very quiet running and the manageability of the handpieces offer optimum conditions for the required precision in polishing the titanium surfaces. Because at Berlin Heart there is a surface roughness value of Ra 0.05 ìm required. In order to be able to polish the very hard material, apart from the correct quantity of diamond paste, primarily time is required. The polishing process takes up to three hours, in order to achieve the required surface dimension. Then the titanium parts are cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaning unit after polishing. This contact free cleaning method is ideal, as every wipe with the cloth will further "damage" the target surface. For quality control and above all long lasting quality assurance the surfaces of the polished work pieces will be measured and additionally visually checked under the stereo-microscope. Further information on the web: www.berlinheart.de www.joke.de WHO WHAT HOW Tel. +49 (0) 22 04 / 8 39-0 • Fax +49 (0) 22 04 / 8 39-61 • info@joke.de ƒô Berlin Heart, Berlin ƒô Polishing titanium components for artificial heart systems ƒô Cleaning the processed precision surfaces ƒô ENEKSA 4-1 ƒô Diamond pastes JOKE® Magic ƒô Polishing felt ƒô Ultrasonic cleaning devices The INCOR® pump ensures flawless blood flow Three steps lead to polishing success on the very hard material titanium. Equipped for any situation: Berlin Heart produces internal and external heart systems for adults and children and young people alike