Advantages of Braiding with Nitinol Wire

When it comes to advanced medical devices, material selection is critical to achieving optimal performance. Nitinol, a unique nickel-titanium alloy known for its superelasticity, shape memory, and biocompatibility, has become a preferred choice for braided components in life-saving applications. Its ability to maintain flexibility while providing high radial force makes it ideal for minimally invasive devices, allowing for precise control and excellent conformability within the body.

At Confluent Medical Technologies, we combine deep expertise in both Nitinol and braiding technologies to offer best-in-class solutions for medical device manufacturers. With a fully vertically integrated supply chain—from raw material production to finished components—Confluent provides unmatched supply chain stability and industry-leading lead times, ensuring that our partners can bring innovative devices to market with confidence.

Applications of Braided Nitinol Components

Braided Nitinol components are widely used across a range of medical applications, including:

• Neurovascular aneurysm devices – Delivering controlled deployment and durability for life-saving procedures
• Stents and flow diverters – Providing flexibility and radial strength for vascular interventions
• Thrombectomy clot retrievers – Ensuring reliable clot capture and retrieval in stroke treatment
• Embolic protection – Acting as a critical safeguard against embolic events
• Structural heart implants – Enabling minimally invasive treatments with superior performance
• Expandable catheter shafts – Enhancing deliverability and flexibility for complex interventions
• Electrophysiology catheters – Supporting intricate cardiac mapping and ablation procedures

Confluent’s Nitinol Expertise and Supply Chain Advantage

Confluent has played a pivotal role in advancing Nitinol for medical device applications. As one of the first companies to introduce Nitinol to the industry, our decades of experience and deep material science expertise set us apart. We have invested over $100 million in a strong, vertically integrated supply chain, ensuring reliable access to high-quality Nitinol tubing, wire, and components. Our direct control over the entire production process—from melting and alloy refinement to final component manufacturing—allows us to provide superior quality, consistency, and the fastest lead times in the industry.

High-Performance Nitinol Materials

As demand for Nitinol in medical devices continues to grow, Confluent remains at the forefront with its industry-leading SE508 and SE508 ELI Nitinol alloys. Our ultra-low-inclusion SE508 ELI alloy is engineered specifically for fine-wire braided components, offering exceptional strength, uniform properties, and enhanced fatigue performance—critical for the long-term reliability of implanted medical devices.

Braided components often require fine wire diameters as small as 25μm (0.001”), making material consistency and performance essential. With Confluent’s expertise in precision Nitinol processing, we ensure that every wire and component meets the stringent requirements of the medical device industry.

Comprehensive Capabilities for Braided Nitinol Components

With our extensive expertise in Nitinol processing and braiding technology, Confluent delivers custom-engineered braided components with a wide range of capabilities, including:

• Looped atraumatic ends for enhanced safety and reduced vessel trauma
• Polymer coverings for improved biocompatibility and function
• Complex geometries tailored to specific device applications
• Fine wire sizes down to 25μm (0.001”) for intricate designs
• Advanced braiding capabilities (16, 48, 64, and 96 carrier braiding)
• Custom braiding geometries (1-over-2, 1-over-1, or 2-over-2 configurations)
• Precision welding and joining techniques
• Shape setting and Af testing to ensure performance under physiological conditions
• Surface treatments such as etching, passivation, and electropolishing for superior finish and biocompatibility

Why Partner with Confluent?

At Confluent Medical Technologies, we are more than just a supplier—we are your trusted material science partner in innovation. Our market leadership in Nitinol, combined with our vertically integrated supply chain, allows us to provide a seamless and reliable solution for medical device manufacturers. From materials expertise to precision component fabrication, our team of industry veterans is committed to delivering the highest quality braided Nitinol components with the fastest turnaround times in the industry.

Let’s build the future of medical devices together. 

Contact us today at sales@confluentmedical.com for a custom quote or visit www.confluentmedical.com to learn more about our advanced capabilities.