Piezoceramics for Medical Technology
Precision starts with the material. CeramTec develops and manufactures custom piezoceramic components for demanding medical applications – from ultrasound diagnostics to minimally invasive surgery. As one of the few manufacturers worldwide with complete vertical process control – from raw material development to assembled sensor or transducer units – we are your partner for reliable, reproducible performance in critical applications.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Over 20 piezoceramic materials: Hard, soft and lead-free materials – the optimal material selection for every medical application.
- 3 production sites: From raw material manufacturing to production and testing: everything from a single source.
- Component sizes from < 1 mm to > 250 mm: From small quantities to fully automated large-scale series production.
- Lead-free piezoceramic available: Future-proof alternatives to PZT for regulatory-sensitive medical technology applications.
Why is Piezoceramic Indispensable in Medicine?
Piezoceramic materials convert mechanical signals (pressure, acceleration, vibration) into electrical output signals – and vice versa. This bidirectional property makes them a key technology in medical devices:
- Ultrasound Diagnostics & Imaging: Piezoceramic discs are the heart of modern ultrasound devices. CeramTec materials enable higher image resolution through reproducible electromechanical properties – a decisive factor in the development of miniaturized, portable devices.
- Therapeutic Ultrasound (HIFU & Lithotripsy): Piezo elements attached to the concave inner structure of shells generate focused high-energy waves for non-contact tissue treatment and stone fragmentation – without incision, without radiation.
- Surgical Instruments: Ultrasound-assisted scalpels, drilling instruments and phacoemulsification probes (cataract surgery) utilize vibration frequencies of 28–45 kHz. CeramTec supplies high-performance transducers for these high-precision applications.
- Infusion Pumps & Dialysis – Air Bubble Detection: Our custom ultrasonic air-in-line sensors detect air bubbles down to a volume of 4 microliters (2 mm diameter) – dry-coupled, without acoustic gel. Suitable for common plastic tubing in medical devices.
Why Piezoceramic from CeramTec?
- Over 20 piezoceramic materials – hard and soft materials, lead-free options based on BNT-BT
- Complete vertical integration – material manufacturing, production, assembly and testing from a single source
- 3 production sites – in the United Kingdom (2) and in Germany
- Component sizes from less than 1 mm to over 250 mm in diameter
- Highly automated series production with 100% in-line testing as well as manual production for special geometries
- Metallization options may include: Thick-film silver (Ag), Thin-film Evaporated Ni/Cr, Electroless nickel (Ni), Electroless nickel/gold (Ni/Au), Sputtered Au on Ni base
Lead-Free Piezoceramics
The medical technology industry is under increasing pressure to replace lead-containing materials (PZT) – particularly with regard to regulatory requirements such as the EU RoHS Directive. CeramTec has made significant advances with lead-free piezoceramic materials based on BNT-BT (Bismuth Sodium Titanate). These materials are suitable for dynamically driven applications such as:
- Micropumps
- Ultrasonic nebulizers
- Power ultrasound transducers
- Diagnostic and therapeutic sensors
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is piezoceramic and how does it work?
Piezoceramic is an electromechanical functional material that converts mechanical energy (pressure, vibration, acceleration) into electrical energy – and vice versa. This bidirectional effect (direct and inverse piezoelectric effect) is utilized in sensors, transducers and actuators.
What advantages does piezoceramic offer over other transducer materials?
Piezoceramics are friction- and wear-free, generate no magnetic fields, can be manufactured in any shape and geometry, and offer high energy density in compact dimensions. This makes them ideal for miniaturized medical devices.
What piezoceramic materials does CeramTec offer?
CeramTec offers a portfolio of more than 20 piezoceramic materials, including hard and soft PZT materials as well as lead-free alternatives based on BNT-BT.
Is lead-free piezoceramic powerful enough for medical applications?
For many dynamic applications – including micropumps, nebulizers and ultrasound transducers – lead-free materials can represent a fully viable alternative. CeramTec is actively working on the further development of these materials.
How small can piezoceramic components from CeramTec be?
CeramTec manufactures piezoceramic components ranging in size from less than 1 mm up to diameters of over 250 mm – from small-batch production to fully automated large-scale series manufacturing.
