Balloon catheters are a key technology in medical devices, essential for minimally invasive procedures. This study quantitatively analyzes how the orientation characteristics of polymer tubes, influenced by extrusion conditions, affect the mechanical properties and compliance of the final balloon—where compliance refers to the change in diameter under external pressure. Nylon 12 tubes, with a target outer diameter of 1.2 mm and an inner diameter of 1.0 mm, were extruded under six different orientation conditions by varying the screw flow rate and puller speed. The tubes were processed under identical forming conditions, allowing for a consistent evaluation of their mechanical properties. As orientation increased, elongation decreased while yield strength increased, and these trends continued in the balloon, significantly influencing compliance. To quantitatively measure orientation, we introduced the dimensionless Deborah number. We established a curve-fitted experimental model that links extrusion conditions, polymer tube properties, and balloon compliance. This model allows for the prediction of balloon performance based on extrusion-stage parameters, providing a practical framework for process optimization. Overall, this study offers an effective quantitative indicator for forecasting balloon catheter performance based on extrusion conditions and supports the systematic design of medical balloon products.

As the market for minimally invasive procedures developed rapidly, there was an increase in the demand for high-precision, high-performance catheter fabrication technology. Sheath and dilator tubes are essential intervention devices for procedures, in which catheters are used and require precise dimensional accuracy, and uniform roundness and surface roughness. Polyethylene is used in sheath and dilator limitation for processability, which causes low melt flow index and side effects. Therefore, in the extrusion process using polyethylene, it is important to study the manufacturing of tubes with improved roundness and surface roughness. In this study, we proposed a calibrator for precise production with an aim to manufacture 5Fr micro-puncture tubes, and studied the changes in the roundness and surface roughness of tubes by changing the cooling water temperature and water disk thickness. As a result, it was found that the cooling water temperature and wafer disk thickness had an effect on the roundness and surface roughness, and the roundness had an effect on the formation of the wall thickness. Therefore, these experimental results were used as a study for the production of improved Sheath and Dilator tubes.

In this paper, a microfluidic co-culture system comprising an embedded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstencil was fabricated. The fabricated co-culture system has two micro-channels separated with a PDMS microstencil membrane. Master molds for microchannels and stencil membranes were fabricated by photolithography, then used for casting of PDMS devices. The stencil membrane was 10 thick, with holes 10-μm large in diameter. The fabricated system co-cultured two types of cells (HepG2, NIH-3T3 Cells) successfully for seven days. The viability and stability of the cells were verified through LIVE/DEAD® staining and analysis. Additionally, albumin secretion of HepG2 cells was measured for seven days, using an HSA ELISA kit. The measured data were analyzed, to compare the activity of HepG2 cells. Results confirmed that cells can be co-cultured in the fabricated microfluidic system.

Catheter tip forming is processing the tip at the distal end so that catheter can move smoothly through the geometrically complex vascular structure. This thermoforming process has a problem in that the polymer tube adheres to the outer surface of the mold. To resolve this problem, previous researchers have coated the outer surface of the mold with PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), which has a low coefficient of friction. However, due to repeated use, the coating is detached and the polymer tube adheres to the mandrels again, and the mold is frequently replaced. Thus, in this study, three types of metal were electroplated on the surface of the mold in to realize the performance of the PTFE coating. To select the optimal plating material, Cr, Zn, and Ni were selected as candidate groups. Surface energy, adhesion force, and abrasion depth & volume were measured for performance comparison. As a result, Ni, which has similar surface properties to PTFE, and the best durability, was selected as the optimal material. Based on these results, we present Ni-plated mold that can replace PTFE.

In this study, we present the multilayered symmetrical droplet splitting microfluidic system for preparation of microspheres. The microfluidic device was fabricated by conventional photolithography and PDMS casting. Multiple layers of microfluidic channels for symmetrical droplet splitting were stacked and integrated into a device. Each layer was designed to obtain 16 microdroplets from one droplet by droplet splitting. The droplet size was controlled with flow rate of dispersed phase (DI-water) and continuous phase (Mineral Oil with 3 wt.% SPAN80) by using a syringe pump. The droplet splitting behavior and production rate were analyzed by high-speed camera and inverted microscope in one layer of the microfluidic device. Additionally, the droplet size and size distribution were observed in each layer of the microfluidic device. The droplet size could be controlled by flow control of two phase flows with high uniformity of droplet size less than 5% coefficient of variation.

Sound waves propagate in a manner in which energy is transmitted by adjacent molecules in the medium. These adjacent molecules exhibit inherent sound wave characteristics, such as height and wavelength, depending on the sound frequency. The Helmholtz resonator, one of the well-known acoustic elements, comprises a neck and a cavity, and features a resonance at a specific frequency related to structural dimensions. The acoustic characteristics of the Helmholtz resonator can be explained by a lumped spring-mass system in mechanical engineering; the resonant frequency can be calculated with the same analysis. The Helmholtz resonator is widely used as an acoustic filter as it can re-radiate sound waves with the opposite phase and significantly attenuate the original sound wave in the resonance frequency range. In this study, we fabricated a Helmholtz resonator-inspired film-type acoustic absorber (FAA), comprising a microscale resonator array made with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Through acoustic attenuation experiments, the FAA revealed that the novel attenuation values reached up to 36.3 dB mm-1. Additionally, a continuous fabrication of the FAA was achieved via a custom-built roll-type equipment.

We introduce technological development of stencil lithography, for new micro and nano fabricated method as a patterning technique. Stencil lithography has advantages of photoresistless, reusable patterning technique, and large area micro and nano patterning. The principle of stencil lithography is as follows: Materials are deposited through perforated holes on the membrane surface, of stencil in micro and nanoscale. In this paper, the fabrication method and application of three types of stencils, are reviewed according to the material. Solid-state stencils based on silicon, are fabricated by micro-fabrication processing of photolithography and etching. Metal stencils are fabricated by metal etching, electroforming, and laser machining. Polymer stencils are fabricated by molding and casting of polymers, such as PDMS, Hydrogel and Photocrosslinkable polymer, etc. Stencils fabricated from a variety of ways may be applied to nanopatterns, nano-wire patterning, and metal electrode fabrication, and used in metal deposition or etching masks and non-planar surface metal patterning techniques. Stencil lithography is applied in various areas of flexible displays, bio-devices, wearable sensors, etc.

In this study, we propose a fabrication method of three-dimensional complex shape polydimethylsiloxane microstencils. Three-dimensional complex shape polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstencils were fabricated by an air-knife system and PDMS casting form preparing master mold by photolithography, diffuser lithography and polyurethane acrylate (PUA) replication. PDMS microstencils shape was a production of the hemispherical and quadrangular pyramid. When the prepolymer of PDMS was spin-coated onto the three-dimensional complex shape master mold, a thin layer of prepolymer remained on top of the master"s structure and consequently prevented formation of perforated patterns. This residual layer was easily removed by the air-knife. The air-knife system was controlled by the flow rate of N2 gas and conveying speed of the master mold. Results revealed the fabricated three-dimensional complex shape PDMS microstencils, could be useful for application of three-dimensional cell culture device.

We present a multi-sample array device based on a pneumatic system. Solenoid valves were used to control a micro valve in a pneumatic system. The use of a compressor together with a vacuum pump ensured that one outlet could supply both compression and vacuum pressure. The multi-sample array device was fabricated using conventional photolithography and PDMS casting. The device was composed of a multiplexer, sample array, and rinsing. The multiplexer could control four sample solutions injecting into the sample array chamber. Sample solution not arrayed was removed by DI-water from the rinsing inlet. To prevent trapping of microbubbles in the channel during injection of sample solution into the device, surfactant was added in PDMS solution to serve as a hydrophilic surface treatment. As a result, the device could be used as a sample array for 64 cases, using four samples and three columns of three chambers.

We present a method of fabricating poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) porous microfibers using a pore template. PLGA microfibers were synthesized using a glass capillary tube in a poly-(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic chip. Gelatin solution was used as a porous template to prepare pores in microfibers. Two phases of PLGA solutions in different solvents-DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and DCM (dichloromethane)-were used to control the porosity and strength of the porous microfibers. The porosity of the PLGA microfibers differed depending on the ratio of flow rates in the two phases. The porous structure was formed in a spiral shape on the microfiber. The porous structure of the microfiber is expected to improve transfer of oxygen and nutrients, which is important for cell viability in tissue engineering.

In this study, drop-on-demand system using piezo-elecrtric inkjet printers was employed for preparation of collagen microspheres, and its application was made to the HepG2 cell-laden microsphere preparation. The collagen microspheres were injected into beaker filled with mineral oil and incubated in a water bath at 37℃ for 45 minutes to induce gelation of the collagen microsphere. The size of collagen microsphere was 100μm in diameter and 80μm in height showing spherical shape. HepG2 cells were encapsulated in the collagen microsphere. The cellladen microspheres were inspected by the microscopic images. The encapsulation of cells may be beneficial for applications ranging from tissue engineering to cell-based diagnostic assays.

In this presentation, we propose a fabrication method of PDMS stencil to apply into a localized culture of NIH/3T3 cells. PDMS stencil was fabricated by nitrogen gas blowing and soft lithography from preparing SU-8 master mold by photolithography. PDMS stencil pattern was production of the circle size 20 to 500 μm. In the culture test of PDMS stencil, a stencil was placed on a glass disk. The NIH/3T3 cells were successfully cultured into micropatterns by using the PDMS stencil. The results showed that cells could be cultured into micropatterns with precisely controlled manner at any shapes and specific size for bioscience study and bioengineering applications.

A high-resolution shadow mask, a nanostencil, is widely used for high resolution lithography. This high-resolution shadowmask is often fabricated by a combination of MEMS processes and focused ion beam (FIB) milling. In this study, FIB milling on 500-㎚-thin SiN membrane was tested and characterized. 500 ㎚ thick and 2x2 ㎜ large membranes were made on a silicon wafer by micro-fabrication processes of LPCVD, photolithography, ICP etching and bulk silicon etching. A subsequent FIB milling enabled local membrane thinning and aperture making into the thinned silicon nitride membrane. Due to the high resolution of the FIB milling process, nanoscale apertures down to 60 ㎚ could be made into the membrane. The nanostencil could be used for nanoscale patterning by local deposition through the apertures.

A high-resolution shadow mask, or called a nanostencil was fabricated for high resolution lithography. This high-resolution shadow mask was fabricated by a combination of MEMS processes and focused ion beam (FIB) milling. 500 run thick and 2×2 ㎜ large membranes were made on a silicon wafer by micro-fabrication processes of LPCVD, photolithography, ICP etching and bulk silicon etching. A subsequent FIB milling enabled local membrane thinning and aperture making into the thinned silicon nitride membrane. Due to the high resolution of the FIB milling process, nanoscale apertures down to 70 ㎜ could be made into the membrane. By local deposition through the apertures of nanostencil, nanoscale patterns down to 70 ㎜ could be achieved.

A new tool of surface patterning technique for general purpose lithography was developed based on shadow mask method. This paper describes the fabrication of a new type of miniaturized shadow mask. The shadow mask is fabricated by photolithography and etching of 100-㎜ full wafer. The fabricated shadow mask has over 388 membranes with apertures of micrometer length scale ranging from 1 ㎛ to 100s ㎛ made on each 2㎜×2㎜ large low stress silicon nitride membrane. It allows micro scale patterns to be directly deposited on substrate surface through apertures of the membrane. This shadow mask method has much wider choice of deposit materials, and can be applied to wider class of surfaces including chemical functional layer, MEMS/NEMS surfaces, and biosensors.