Extruded tubing with numerous lumens, or passages, allows engineers to push the creative envelope and expand their product capabilities. Let’s explore further…
What is a Lumen?
A “lumen”, in this context, is a channel within a tube. While this term is typically associated with a measurement of light, the word “lumen” actually means “light” in Latin. Lumen took on its dimensional meaning of “passage” in a medical context because when the hollow or tube of an organ is cut crosswise, light shines through.
Multi-Lumen = Multi-Use
Lumens within a continuous tube may have different sizes and shapes providing versatility to industrial processes or medical applications.
For example, in a medical device, a multi-lumen tube could provide side-by-side flow of liquid and air reducing the need for numerous tubing connections. Thus, multi-lumen tubing in surgical applications enables the delivery and use of instruments facilitating less invasive procedures. Also, dual-lumen airway devices allow blind insertion for patients in respiratory distress in emergency medical situations.
How is this Tubing Used?
Examples of applications for plastic multi-lumen tubing include the following:
- Medical – catheters, surgical tubing – access ports or channels and delivery and evacuation systems, fluid transfer; drug atomizing devices
- Electronics – insulated cable systems; audio cables;
- Food Processing industry – multiple fluid transfer; package filling
PBS Plastics Expertise
PBS manufactures multi-lumen tubing with tight tolerances and nearly limitless combinations of shapes and thicknesses. We welcome your R&D challenges with deep process knowledge and personalized, accessible service.
Our employees take personal pride in every stage of the production process. From suggesting production improvements to active participation in peer-to-peer mentoring, PBS is a company that cares. We are proud to call our employees the best of the best.
GLOSSARY: A lumen is a passage or a channel within a tube. Multi-Lumen Tubing is created as a single tube with multiple lumens running throughout the inside diameter of the tube. These inner lumens can vary in size, shape, material, and wall thickness.