Gentex Corp., Carbondale, Pa., (clearweld.com) has agreed to jointly develop materials for medical tubing with Natvar Corp., a subsidiary of Tekni-Plex Inc. Under the agreement, Natvar, Clayton, N.C. (natvar.com) a worldwide manufacturer of medical products, will be granted a license to Gentex's Clearweld laser-welding technology to compound, produce, and sell near infrared absorbing products in medical-tubing applications.

The Clearweld process compounds infrared absorbing additives into plastic resins that allows laser welding medical tubing to connectors. These laser-absorbing materials focus laser energy and convert it into heat. Localized heating at the tube and laser interface produces strong, hermetically sealed welds with minimal thermal and mechanical stress and no particulates, making it ideal for medical applications. The technology eliminates the need for solvents or adhesives in assembly operations for many medical-device applications.