KDF RELEASE 2003
943NTX Sputtering System Meets Medical Device Production Standards
KDF today announced that Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) has selected its 943NTX in-line sputtering system for use in manufacturing pacemaker components. The order verifies that KDF’s technology platforms meet rigorous standards for producing advanced medical devices. The KDF system began installation at Medtronic’s Minneapolis facility in December 2002.
Medtronic selected the 943NTX for its ability to create impervious coatings, a crucial aspect of medical manufacturing since each device is expected to perform flawlessly. The KDF 943NTX features InsetÔ style cathodes, a cathode design that provides long lifetime and high utilization for thick coatings, like those that are used to protect critical pacemaker components. There is no margin for error in pacemaker manufacturing applications and KDF’s superior coating technology meets these standards.
“As an existing customer of KDF, Medtronic is familiar with the strength and capabilities of our 900 Series sputtering systems. The 943NTX provides the process integrity required for producing high stakes medical devices like pacemakers,” said Kurt Flechsig, president of KDF. “KDF already maintains a presence in the medical devices market and this order will serve to increase our market penetration for this industry.”
KDF offers advanced and reliable batch in-line sputtering systems at the industry’s lowest cost of ownership. These systems are used around the world in the semiconductor, telecommunications, aerospace and medical technology markets, each tailored to meet specific processing needs.
For the Medtronic process KDF configured the 900 Series system with an InsetÔ style cathode which supports long-term use in the production of durable and impenetrable coatings. With sputter down capability and easy substrate loading, the 943NTX is ideally suited for medical applications which produce uniform films with an exacting, but repeatable, high-throughput process.
