Medical Marking

Laser medical marking delivers improved accuracy, higher efficiency and faster marking workflows for healthcare organizations.

Laser marking permanently adds device identifiers and other crucial information to a piece of health care equipment. It can include placing barcodes, logos and serial numbers on a device to replace traditional stamping, printing or labeling. Medical laser marking also withstands sterilization techniques that other methods may not easily survive.

Laser marking works through a process known as laser annealing. This approach changes the workpiece’s surface color without damaging the substrate.

During the process, a focused laser beam heats the metal to diffuse subsurface oxygen. That results in the metal internally oxidizing, created by a molecular change due to heat exposure. Laser marking can achieve many different colors, which occur automatically as the material cools. Annealing produces a scientific phenomenon called thin-film interference, which splits light into two waves with differential reflection. In its simplest terms, the reflections differ between the topmost oxidized layer and the unaltered substrate.

Medical device and surgical instrument manufacturers often prefer laser annealing to mark equipment because it creates high-definition results without sacrificing structural integrity — it removes no material from the underlying component. Unlike etching for surgical instruments, marking leaves no space for bacteria to grow, which helps protect patient health.

With ever-changing regulations, it’s important to find effective device-tracing methods. Medical device laser marking helps by boosting healthcare organizations’ instrument traceability. The approach accurately labels equipment by creating substrate oxidation with highly concentrated heat without damaging the material. Once the workpiece cools, the contrasting colors appear. Results may vary based on material type.

Typical uses include:

• Forceps
• Trauma instruments
• Saw blades
• Catheter wires
• Pacemakers
• Dental implants
• Medical tubes and needle hubs

Laser annealing produces marks that are permanent, fade-proof and impervious to many sterilization techniques, including many chemicals. Markings can include valuable device information like scannable QR codes or barcodes. This reliability and convenience help healthcare providers achieve better inventory management with higher accuracy. Additionally, advanced laser marking technology can incorporate regulatory-specific data to promote better compliance with industry standards.