Putnam Plastics Corporation

Tri-TIE™

Tri-TIE™ Multi Durometer Tubing

What is Tri-Tie™ multi durometer tubing technology?

Tri-Tie™ guide catheter shaft manufacturing rethinks the conventional approach to achieve a more integrated and reliable component, at a lower cost. While the technologies and materials used for this process have a proven track record in vascular catheter applications, the combination of these technologies in a single component is a hallmark of Putnam’s innovative tri-layer approach.

Traditionally, these complex shafts have been manually assembled from discrete components in a hand lay-up process. This is costly and presents challenges for validating a highly manual manufacturing process. Product performance can also vary due to poor bonding between the layers and at the interface of the discrete segments on the outer layer, where hinge points occur.

What options should you keep in mind when procuring multi durometer tubing? 

Our proprietary Tri-Tie™ continuous extrusion technology provides four key benefits over the conventional approach:

  • Integrated bonding between the outer and inner layer ensures reliable shaft performance.
  • A continuous, variable durometer outer layer eliminates bonded segments and associated kink or hinge points.
  • Elimination of discrete components and of manual operations improves quality and validation.
  • Continuous manufacturing offers substantial cost savings over conventional methods.

What materials are Putnam multi durometer tubings typically comprised of and why?

Our multi durometer extrusions include a lubricious polyethylene inner layer for easy passage of devices, a braided stainless steel middle layer for torque transmission and support that incorporates our braid reinforced TIE™ technology (which itself has a three-layer approach of inner polymer, middle braid layer and outer polymer) and a thermoplastic jacket with variable durometer polymers that vary from a flexible distal end to minimize intravascular wall damage and thrombosis generation, to a more rigid proximal end for pushability.

What medical devices or procedures is this commonly used in?

Multi durometer catheters are commonly used to access endovascular sites and deliver balloons, stents, guidewires, contrast media and other devices.

What ISO certifications is Putnam Plastics equipped to comply with?

Putnam’s state-of-the-art plastics extrusion manufacturing facility is ISO 13485:2016 certified.  

ISO 13485:2016 Medical Devices Quality Management Certified Company

Why is Putnam Plastics the best choice for multi durometer tubing? 

As a leader in medical tubing technology, we continue to develop new technologies and innovative approaches to solve complex tubing challenges. Tri-Tie™ guide catheter shaft manufacturing is an example of why Putnam is a pioneer in design and production.

Our custom manufacturing offers more integrated and reliable components than standard manufacturing, at lower costs. Contact us to speak with a Putnam engineer or a sales representative about how we can put our material science innovations and decades of experience to work for you.

Why Choose Putnam?

  • 38+ years experience across 36 countries
  • Innovative design and research expertise
  • In-house ISO certified production facilities
  • Single source integrated solution