myonic ball bearings for atherectomy systems

Atherosclerotic deposits are among the most common causes of circulatory disorders and cardiovascular events.
As the disease progresses, blood vessels become increasingly narrowed due to plaque buildup, vascular elasticity decreases, and blood flow is restricted.

Atherectomy is a highly specialized, minimally invasive procedure that allows deposits to be removed in a targeted and controlled manner directly inside the blood vessel. Rotating cutting or grinding elements operate at very high speeds of up to 190,000 revolutions per minute.

Deviations in rotational behavior directly affect the control of material removal, the stress on the vascular tissue, and thus the safety and reproducibility of the procedure. The mechanical precision of the rotating assembly is therefore a key factor for success.

Ball bearings as a core functional component

In atherectomy systems, ball bearings perform several safety-critical functions simultaneously. They drive the rotating catheter shaft and ensure smooth, low-vibration operation, which is essential for the precise positioning of the cutting components.

Due to the very small diameters dictated by the limited installation space in the handpiece, as well as the high circumferential speeds, bearing quality is a decisive factor for the overall stability of the system. Even minor deviations in bearing geometry or surface quality can cause increased vibrations, bearing overheating, and premature wear—potentially leading to bearing failure during a procedure in the worst-case scenario.

High-precision specialty bearings from myonic

myonic develops special ball bearings specifically designed for these demanding operating conditions. Optimized raceway geometries, high-precision ball grades, and controlled manufacturing and assembly with extremely tight tolerances ensure stable, smooth operation even at high speeds.

The bearings are designed to:

• enable a defined, reproducible rotation of the cutting tools
• reliably absorb dynamic loads
• minimize runout and microvibrations
• ensure consistent performance across the entire operating range

As a result, they make a significant contribution to process stability and to controlled and safe ablation performance within the vessel.

Subassembly Development for System Integration

In addition to individual components, myonic develops complete bearing and shaft assemblies for atherectomy systems. These assemblies are custom designed for specific applications and enable precise integration into the respective device design.

The coordinated design of the bearing, shaft, and adjacent components allows for:

• Optimized installation spaces
• Reduced tolerance chains
• Simplifiedy assembly processes
• Increased system rigidity and running accuracy
• Shortened development times

This results in robust, validatable solutions that meet the high demands of modern vascular therapy systems.