The ablation catheter contains precious metals
Due to the incorporation of precious platinum group metals - platinum and iridium - into the construction of ablation catheter electrodes, these high-end materials not only endow the catheter with excellent electrical conductivity and durability, but also give discarded catheters significant recycling value. Platinum and iridium, as rare and valuable metals, play a crucial role in the field of medical technology, especially in cardiac electrophysiological therapy. Their application ensures the accuracy and safety of ablation surgery.
Therefore, the recycling price of different types of ablation catheters has become a focus of industry attention. The evaluation of recycling value largely depends on the specific model and specifications of the catheter, which directly affect the metal content and degree of reusability. For example, Boston Scientific's SF large head platinum iridium ablation catheter, known for its unique design and high-performance materials, often enjoys high valuations in the recycling market. Similarly, Huitai Medical's electrophysiological catheter series, including four level catheters, ten level catheters with imaging rings, and specially designed twenty level platinum iridium ring catheters, also have specific value in recycling due to their specific therapeutic applications and technical characteristics. In addition, Johnson&Johnson's fine ten stage catheter is also favored by recyclers due to its fine handling ability and high-quality performance of platinum iridium alloy.
The fluctuation range of recycling prices is relatively large, which mainly depends on market demand, international trends in metal prices, and the actual condition of the conduits. Generally speaking, even for catheters of the same brand and series, the recycling price may vary depending on their age, integrity, and whether they have been professionally cleaned and treated. Therefore, the recycling prices of these catheters in the market generally range from a few yuan to several tens of yuan per tube. For some special models or well maintained catheters, their recycling value may even be higher.
In order to improve recycling efficiency and ensure environmental friendliness, many medical institutions and specialized recycling companies have established comprehensive recycling systems aimed at safely and effectively collecting, classifying, and treating medical waste containing platinum iridium alloys. This not only helps to save resources and reduce environmental pollution, but also brings additional economic benefits to the medical industry, promoting the development of circular economy.
