Redefining Polymer Tubing: Introducing Filmcast Select™ from Confluent Medical

In the world of medical device design, performance starts at the materials level. Every innovation—every smaller, stronger, more flexible device—relies on the science of the polymers behind it. Yet for years, engineers have had to work within the constraints of standard tubing formulations.

That’s changing.

Confluent Medical Technologies has introduced Filmcast Select™, a materials customization program that lets OEMs intentionally define the key properties of their filmcast PTFE and polyimide tubing. Instead of adapting to off-the-shelf materials, engineers can now select the flexibility, strength, surface finish, or regulatory compliance their device demands right from the start.

A New Approach to Materials Customization

As devices evolve to support increasingly minimally invasive procedures, performance expectations have never been higher. Catheters, delivery systems, and neurovascular devices must be ultra-thin yet durable, flexible yet strong, and compliant yet precise.

Filmcast Select™ gives developers direct control over the material attributes that drive those outcomes. The program pairs Confluent’s deep materials science expertise with its vertically integrated manufacturing, so the tubing you choose can be transformed into complete, high-performance components.

Whether your goals involve improved durability, higher tensile strength, or full REACH compliance, Filmcast Select™ allows you to start from a materials profile built for your design, not around its limitations.

Polyimide Options: Strength, Transparency, and Compliance

Polyimide has long been a workhorse in medical device design for its exceptional tensile strength, stability, and chemical resistance. Through Filmcast Select™, Confluent offers four specialized formulations to meet diverse application needs:

• Standard Polyimide – The industry’s trusted standard, providing excellent strength, dielectric performance, and chemical resistance, with high transparency for visualization through the shaft.
• Glossy REACH Polyimide – Delivers the same transparency and mechanical performance using a REACH-compliant solvent; each lot is ready for use without additional processing or testing.
• Matte REACH Polyimide – Offers REACH compliance with a translucent, low-friction finish that enhances bonding and adhesion performance.
• Ultra Polyimide – A high-modulus material with nearly double the tensile strength of standard polyimide, enabling ultra-thin wall designs without compromising stability.
• FlexaCast™ – Higher Elongation
  Optimized for superior flexibility, FlexaCast™ offers more than twice the elongation of traditional ram-extruded PTFE, which is perfect for devices navigating tortuous anatomy.
• DuraCast™ – Higher Abrasion Resistance
  Designed for durability, DuraCast™ resists wear during multiple exchanges or extended use, making it ideal for demanding procedural environments.
• UltraCast™ – Higher Tensile Strength
  Built for strength, UltraCast™ performs under high mechanical loads and minimizes wrinkling or elongation, making it ideal for stent delivery systems and other precision applications.
• Purpose-built material selection aligned to design goals
• REACH-compliant options for regulatory confidence
• Consistent performance across production lots
• Faster market readiness through existing biocompatibility pathways
• Seamless integration from tubing to complete subassembly

Each polyimide variant can be further customized with PTFE additives for reduced friction or colorants for visibility and branding, giving engineers the flexibility to fine-tune both performance and appearance.

PTFE Options: Flexibility, Durability, and Strength

Complementing the polyimide lineup, Confluent’s filmcast PTFE tubing options are engineered for specific mechanical and performance priorities:

Each PTFE option can also be produced with customer-preferred dispersions to align with existing biocompatibility data. That compatibility helps streamline regulatory pathways, saving both development time and cost.

From Material to Complete Component

Material customization is only the beginning. Confluent’s vertically integrated model enables the transformation of these specialized tubing materials into finished components and subassemblies.

By combining selected PTFE or polyimide formulations with braid reinforcement, outer jackets, or other advanced constructions, Confluent helps OEMs achieve the perfect balance between pushability, torque response, and flexibility, which are key characteristics for next-generation delivery systems.

Why Filmcast Select™ Changes the Game

Filmcast Select™ represents the convergence of materials science innovation and manufacturing expertise—a single, flexible platform for creating tubing that’s engineered for your unique device.

Key advantages include:

With Filmcast Select™, engineers can move beyond the limitations of standard materials. They can design with intent, choosing properties that deliver exactly what their devices need to perform at their best.

Materials That Power What’s Next

As medical technology continues to advance, material innovation will remain central to device success. Filmcast Select™ reflects that future: a collaborative, data-driven approach that allows OEMs to define material performance from the start.

Because your next-generation device deserves more than standard materials, it deserves materials that perform with purpose.