Non-Contact, Light-Based Measurements for Medical Balloons and Catheters

One of the most prevalent measurement devices in a medical balloon or catheter manufacturing facility is the micrometer gauge. It is simple and inexpensive. But, this measurement technique is subject to a high degree of operator variability. Another limitation is that it measures total thickness only, and not the actual individual wall thickness. Furthermore, a micrometer compresses the measured part, and must, by design, come into contact with the material. The micrometer does not provide engineers with the precise and detailed information they need to develop and improve production processes. What other issues are there?