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TELEFLEX MEDICAL

LATEX MANUFACTURING PROCESS FLOW

1. The latex quality requirement data for the Teleflex Medical Kamunting were sent to

Synthomer (M) Sdn. Bhd. to be compounded. The only compounding added before

the process in Teleflex is the colour for tagging different ind of rubber compound for 

different application purpose. There are about !"# (red$blue$yellow$green$orange)

colours to tag the product to ease the product classification. The latex were

compounded in a constant temperature to pre%ent the crosslining by heat to occur.

These latex were compounded and constantly stirred by a rotating blade at the bottom

of the latex tan. The stirring latex blade were placed at the bottom due to the

 possibility of particle displacement. This is because latex contain water$ thus the water 

layer tends to stay on top while the hea%y latex rubber particle will dispense at the

 bottom. &ence we placed the rotating blade at the bottom to stir it well and thoroughly

to mae an e%en latex compounding ready for the next process.

'. n this process the sterilied catheter former were dipped in a coagulant and then

dipped in the latex tan. This layer is considered as the *st layer and also as the

thinnest layer. This layer is the inner layer of the catheters. This dipped latex former 

were stationed at the o%en for a few minutes to mae it not so sticy or rubbery or still

in the flow state to ease the next process.

+. The dipped latex former with partial dryness were then taen out of the o%en for the

threading process. This is the most important process and also the hardest process of 

catheter manufacturing. n this process a thin high modulus rubber thread were

gummed inline or straight with the catheters former side. The threading will later be

remo%ed after going through another process. These threading process is important as

it determines the tube sie of the catheters.

!. The threaded latex catheters were then dipped twice into the latex tan to co%er the

threading and to mae a hollow tube. ,fter the dipping$ the latex coated former wasstored in o%en for a while not to fully

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#. ,fter this$ a %ery thin and small rubber tube were worn on the catheter end. t must

also co%er threading. This is to pro%ide an air flow to the small rubber tube to expand

once the thread is remo%ed.

-. Then all the catheter were dipped in a gum.

. Then again the same catheters were dipped in latex again for the reinforcement

 purpose.

/. The coding is where the catheters were coded by a code number$ which determine the

date of processing of the latex catheters.

0. Then the latex coated former of catheter were immersed in the latex tan for the last

time of latex dipping. Then it was stored in o%en for certain period under a%eragetemperature to precure the latex on the former.

*1. The 2ormer was then taen out of the o%en. The rubber thread were then remo%ed

from within the coated layers of latex gently not to brea the thread inside closing the

tube flow which can cause defects. Then with the help of a air pressure 3et$ the

catheters were totally remo%ed from the former.

**. The remo%ed latex catheters were then punched at the end of the catheters for its

application purpose.

*'. Then the catheters were stored in a water bath of temperature +11c for almost * wee 

to displace any unwanted materials that could ha%e deposited on the latex through thewhole process.

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*+. Then they will undergo the process of chlorination. 4ater chlorination is the process

of adding chlorine (5l. ') or hypochlorite to water. This method is to ill certain

 bacteria and other microbes in tap water as chlorine is highly toxic and they might

cause the rubber to decompose faster. Besides$ it also pro%ides a better looing

surface finishing for the catheters.

*!. ,fter this the catheters were shelfed on a rac and placed in the big o%en for a long

time for the complete curing of the catheters. This is the last chemically modifying

 process in the manufacturing of catheters.

*#. Then the catheters were taen out of the o%en and were inspected for any defects and

here the defected catheters were collected to the brought for furnace to be destroyed.

t cannot be recycled as the rubber is already fully cured.

*-. Then the balloon of the catheters were checed wheater it can expand and inflate bac 

to its normal sie. The inflation of the balloon were aided with a little heat exposure.

*. The 5atheters were then ready for pacing in the innerbag. 4ith the help of the

%acuum pump the catheters were paced inside the bag.

*/. Then its automatically paced with the tiromat.

*0. This pacage then sent to Teleflex in Kulim for the steriliation process.

'1. 2innaly it is paced and ready for export and to be sent to any places that requires the

catheters.

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LATEX MANUFACTURING PROCESS FLOW