In the life-saving medical world, everyday millions of complex procedures are underway. Vacuum technology plays its role in supporting procedures that require suction, pressure regulation, or sterile handling of biological materials – keeping things clean, efficient and moving seamlessly. Beyond the operating room, an array of medical devices that support health, medical conditions and procedures are also manufactured, processed, tested and packaged with the help of vacuum pumps.
To enable different stages of manufacturing and surgical processes, our Atlas Copco vacuum pumps and systems are diligently working behind the scenes. Delivering reliable, precision vacuum power and supporting every evolving need with custom solutions.
For medical device manufacturing
Medical device manufacturing typically requires clean, reliable vacuum for different kind of processes. Here is a quick look at them!
Thermoforming and Injection molding
Vacuum pumps help in shaping medical components by removing trapped air from molds and forming cavities. This vents air pockets, reduces defects, and ensures uniformity in components like syringes, housings, connectors, and instrument casings.
Vacuum Drying and Degassing
Plastics, adhesives, and coating compounds trap moisture and gases during production. Vacuum pumps accelerate drying by lowering the boiling point of liquids, enabling moisture removal. In degassing, vacuum extracts air and contaminants for smooth finishes. Essential for catheters, tubing, implant components.
Assembly and Handling
Medical devices come in all shapes and sizes and need delicate, contamination free handling. Pickandplace robots use vacuum grippers to handle small, lightweight, or delicate components such as microvalves, diaphragms, optical parts etc.
Testing and Packaging
Creating a controlled vacuum environment allows manufacturers to detect microscopic leaks in products like implants, IV systems, catheters, and sterile barrier systems. Lastly, air-tight vacuum packaging ensures no further contamination and secure storage and transport.
Sterilization Processes
Vacuum supports autoclave sterilization by evacuating air before steam penetration for complete and uniform sterilization. For ethylene‑oxide (EtO) sterilization, vacuum cycles manage gas penetration, dwell time, and aeration phases. These precise vacuum conditions ensure sterility assurance levels (SALs) are achieved.
For surgical and clinical applications
One of the most widespread uses of vacuum pumps in other medical areas is in surgical suction systems. From respiratory needs to gynaecology procedures, surgeons must clear bodily fluids to maintain visibility. Vacuum pumps provide continuous, sterile suction that is both reliable and adjustable.
Atlas Copco recommends
The medical industry’s reliance on vacuum pumps is profound. Depending on your application requirements for cleanliness, noise level, portability, or vacuum depth, we here to provide solutions that are reliable and in compliance with medical laws and regulations.
Oil‑sealed rotary vane pumps
Our GVD series pumps are suitable for high‑vacuum requirements in device assembly, drying, and laboratory processes. They are very compact and reliable for precision manufacturing. Additionally, you can also explore our GVS 16-630 A range. They are single-stage, oil sealed and air-cooled direct driven rotary vane vacuum pumps. They offer a high reliability through a rugged design and optimal oil retention at all operating pressures.
DZS dry claw vacuum pumps
Our dry claw series of vacuum pumps are best suited for clean production environments where oil free vacuum is critical - such as cleanrooms, sterile packaging, component handling.