Freudenberg Sealing Technologies secures major medical device order

Weinheim, Germany – Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) has won a “major” new contract to supply special seals to Swiss medical technology specialist Ypsomed.

The deal, which “significantly exceeds the previous order volume”, is for high performance ‘rod seals’ used in portable insulin pumps, FST announced 31 Jan.

Portable insulin pumps continuously deliver precise doses of the vital hormone into the body, keeping the patient’s metabolism in balance.

FST developed a “dedicated rod seal” for Ypsomed's 'mylife YpsoPump' pump, which weighs 83 grams – including battery and full insulin cartridge – and is just 16mm long.

“The challenge was to combine a high level of tightness with minimal friction,” explained Patrick Kinsch, product developer at FST's fluid power industry lead centre.

To meet this challenge, FST optimised “a suitable combination of a high-performance rod seal with a friction-optimised seal lip and surface.”

Furthermore, the German manufacturer procured a “specially matched lubricant” from affiliated company Klüber Lubrication.

FST also employed nano technology for the production of the seals to help lower the roughness of the seal and friction of the elastomer.

“The seals with such treatment enable a very consistent torque curve,” according to FST's statement.

Furthermore, the rod seal protects the system from contamination when the insulin cartridge is changed and seals the motor against leaking insulin in case of cartridge breakage.

When the project started, Ypsomed expected “a much lower number of seals per year,” FST sales engineer Peter Rohrer reported.

The Swiss manufacturer, however, has now concluded a two-year purchase contract with “a much higher order quantity,” added Rohrer.

Ypsomed, is a manufacturer of injection and infusion systems for self-medication and a specialist for diabetes, with over 35 years of experience in this field.

According to FST, the two companies have been collaborating since 2012.