What types of test services do you provide?
We specialize in durability and fatigue testing of medical devices.  This includes;

• Radial fatigue of stents and stent-like devices.
• Axial fatigue of device components such as stent struts, pacemaker leads and other structural devices.
• Fatigue testing of orthopaedic components including spinal constructs, knee and hip components.
• Multi-axis fatigue including axial-torsion and orthogonal two axis testing.

We also perform static tests including tensile, compressive, torsion and  bending.  If you don’t see your application listed in the applications section, please contact us.  Chances are we have already done it.

When can I start testing once I contact you?
Once you have made the decision to test with us the pacing item is typically the test fixturing.  If we have the test fixturing on the shelf we can get started very quickly (one to two days). If we need to fabricate fixturing the delay time is longer.  Typically a week or two.

For stent tests, the pacing item is fabrication of the mock arteries, which usually requires two to four weeks. Often customers will provide us with a separate purchase order to fabricate the mock arteries in advance of the testing purchase order. This way we can move quickly once the customer is ready to get started.

How long will the test take?
This is dependent on the cycle count.  For orthopaedic tests the desired cycle count for 10 year equivalent load cycles is typically 5 to 10 million.  Depending on the material the applied test frequency ranges from 2Hz (polyethylene) to 30Hz (metallic components).  For stent tests the 10 year equivalent cycle count is 400 million cycles and the frequency range is 25 to 60 Hz (determined by tester performance for a given device diameter).  The test duration is determined by multiplying the desired cycles by the test frequency.

I would like to visit your facilities to help set-up the test. Can I do so?
Please do. We want to make sure you have as much visibility and control over the test as you desire. Your involvement can range from working side by side with us to communicating with us solely through email.

Can you offer protocols for testing?
Yes. In many cases, we have standard protocols that can be used "as is" or modified to meet your needs. For example, we have standard  protocols for generic vascular stent testing, and can point you to FDA guidance documents explaining the protocol foundation.

How many samples can you test simultaneously?
This is dependent on the specimen geometry and desired loading conditions.  For example; for small devices requiring axial fatigue loading we have built fixtures that will accommodate 20 samples on the same test instrument.  For stent testing we have systems that can accommodate 6 to 12 mock arteries. Each mock artery may be loaded with 1 to 4 devices, providing a testing capacity ranging from 6 to 48 stents per tester.  The number of stents that can be deployed in each mock artery is dependent on the stent size and material.