Direct contact
Harald Nitzschke +49 (0) 7303 - 92874 - 0 nitzschke@ttv-gmbh.de
The medical technology market is characterised by maximum precision, uncompromising safety and continuous miniaturisation. The growing demand for durable, low-maintenance and hygienically flawless solutions places the highest demands on the components used. Especially in surgical systems, operating theatre equipment and modern prosthetics, seals and plain bearings from ttv play a decisive role in safety, function and comfort.
The applications in medical technology are as diverse as the requirements themselves: treatment chairs and operating tables, operating lights, manipulator arms, surgical assistance systems, and arm and leg prostheses. WThat they all have in common is the need for low-friction, stable and hygienic motion technology – a prime application for metal-polymer composite plain bearings and high-precision sealing systems.
Europe is one of the world's most innovative markets in the field of medical technology. With leading manufacturers in Germany, Switzerland and Scandinavia, an environment is emerging that combines technological excellence, precision and regulatory security. In this context, ttv supplies customer-specific solutions for a wide range of applications – from surgical lights to high-performance prostheses.
Standard components quickly reach their limits in the sensitive medical environment. Different mechanical, thermal and hygienic requirements necessitate individual, precisely tailored product solutions. ttv meets this challenge with its own development department, which is specifically designed for medical technology applications – backed by decades of manufacturing expertise made in Germany in the field of plain bearing technology since 1983. The combination of development experience, technological depth and certified manufacturing enables solutions that meet the highest requirements.
Through continuous development work and direct exchange with medical device manufacturers, ttv has established itself as a recognised partner in medical technology. Typical challenges range from vibration-free movement in operating theatre beds to sensitive bearing technology in operating theatre lights and tribologically optimised plain bearings in prostheses. Durable, hygienically flawless components with high reproducibility and constant friction coefficients are in particular demand – requirements that ttv meets with its extensive technological expertise.
The result: reduced micro-wear, smooth movement, lower friction and significantly increased service life. This noticeably improves the quality of life for users, especially when it comes to fine motor requirements such as in arm prostheses or shock-absorbing tasks in leg prostheses.
Our Board of Experts is much more than a traditional consulting team. With decades of market and product knowledge and a first-class network, we offer in-depth product analysis, development and consulting – and go one step further:
We support you in all processes of the entire procurement cycle – from the strategic selection of the right solutions to the optimisation of your supply chain and sustainable cost and risk analysis. In this way, we not only achieve technical excellence, but also effectiveness and economic added value for your company.
With our in-depth expertise, agile approaches and individual solutions, we transform challenges into competitive advantages – precisely tailored to your requirements.
Quiet operation, easy handling and maximum reliability are important factors in everyday clinical practice. ttv's metal-polymer composite plain bearings ensure smooth, quiet adjustment processes – even under high loads. They also score points for their ease of disinfection, long service life and adaptability to a wide variety of bed and chair designs.
Although plain bearings and seals are often invisible components, they have a significant impact on the functionality, comfort and service life of medical systems. Here are three specific examples from practice:
Medical technology – surgical lights
Problem
Adjustable arms in surgical lights led to inconsistent mobility and unwanted sagging at a medical technology manufacturer.
Requirement
Fine adjustability without jerking, permanent stability, maintenance-free operation, sterilisable surfaces.
Solution approach
Replacement of existing bearings with ttv composite plain bearings with a specially tailored polymer matrix that provides controlled friction, dampens vibrations and can be integrated into existing assemblies.
Result
Smooth movement without readjustment, long-lasting stability of the light arms, improved hygiene properties thanks to smooth surfaces.
Medical technology – arm and leg prostheses
Problem
Arm and leg prostheses require highly resilient, precisely movable bearings that are both shock-absorbing and low-maintenance.
Requirement
Reduction of friction and micro-wear, high structural stability, individual adaptability to biomechanical requirements, long service life and low maintenance.
Solution approach
Use of ttv metal-polymer composite plain bearings with combined load-bearing capacity (metal) and damping, self-lubricating polymer surface. Modular design allows precise adaptation to load and movement profile.
Result
Smooth movement, increased service life of the prosthesis, reduced maintenance costs and noticeable improvement in functionality and quality of life for the user.
Medical technology – operating theatre beds and treatment chairs
Problem
Adjustment functions in operating theatre beds and treatment chairs must remain smooth-running, hygienic and low-maintenance under high loads.
Requirement
Low-friction motion guidance, high stability, long service life, easy cleaning and integration into different bed concepts.
Solution approach
Use of ttv metal-polymer composite plain bearings with load-bearing metal body and damping polymer surface. Smooth, coatable surfaces enable hygienic cleaning and prevent germ formation.
Result
Smooth, quiet adjustment of bed functions, improved patient comfort, reduced maintenance costs and extended service life – ideal for intensive hospital use. Low light reflection and improved hygiene properties thanks to smooth surfaces.
