Our team of experts is highly skilled in producing small, complex cables using a variety of materials, including discrete wire, micro-coaxial, twisted pairs, and twinaxials. No matter what your specific requirements may be, we can work with you to design and manufacture a custom solution that meets your product specific needs.
Our range of standard sizes is unparalleled, with options as small a fine wire drawn down to 58AWG to create 50AWG conductor (7/58, 0.10 mm diameter). This level of precision and attention to detail is essential for highly specialized and complex cables.
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Proterial specializes in building complex fine wire bundles that are traditionally found in ultrasound imaging environments for medical probe cables in both medical and non-medical applications where precision and performance are paramount. This expertise can be expanded upon to other applications such as endoscopes, catheters, and animal probes.
Micro-coaxial cable is used in a wide array of precision medical products and cabling applications, where limited space, high reliability, high-sensitivity and outstanding signal, capacitance and impedance characteristics are important.
Ideal for ultrasound probes, catheters, endoscopy, oximetry systems, sensors, robotics and industrial automation and inspection. We offer a full range of standard sizes from 32 to 50 AWG using high-strength silver-plated or tinned-copper alloys that are rated to +200°C. Our micro-coaxial cable is a market leader due in part to our proprietary high-strength alloys with outstanding low-loss characteristics.
Features and Benefits:
We offer a broad selection of copper alloy wire with precision wire gauges ranging from 36 AWG to 50 AWG. These superfine, high strength, highly conductive 7 strand constructions are useful for small diameter flexible cables. We offer standard 50 & 60 Ohm impedence products.
Please call if alternate constructions are required.
Coaxial Product Number | AWG Stranding | Material | Conductor DCR@20⁰C Ω/kft / (Ω/km) | Insulation Material | Shield Material | Jacket Material | Jacket Diameter | Capacitance pF/ft (pF/m) | Impedance @10MHz (Ω) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5361-110 | 36 (7/44) (7/0.05 mm) | Tinned Copper | 479 (1,569) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | 0.021 (0.54) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5381-110 | 38 (7/46) (7/0.04 mm) | Tinned Copper Alloy | 1,007 (3,300) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper | Polyester Tape or PFA | 0.017 (0.44) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5382-110 | 38 (7/46) (7/0.04 mm) | HiFC® | 610 (2,000) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper | Polyester Tape or PFA | 0.017 (0.44) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5401-110 | 40 (7/48) (7/0.031 mm) | Tinned Copper Alloy | 1,525 (5,000) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape or PFA | 0.013 (0.32) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5402-110 | 40 (7/48) (7/0.031 mm) | HiFC® | 975 (3,200) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape or PFA | 0.013 (0.32) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5411-110 | 41 (7/49) (7/0.028 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 1,525 (5,000) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape or PFA | 0.012 (0.31) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5421-110* | 42 (7/50) (7/0.025 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,227 (7,300) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape or PFA | 0.011 (0.29) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5431-110 | 43 (7/51) (7/0.023 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,288 (7,500) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape or PFA | 0.011 (0.27) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5441-110 | 44 (7/52) (7/0.02 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 3,203 (10,500) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape or PFA | 0.010 (0.24) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5451-110 | 45 (7/53) (7/0.018 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 3,752 (12,300) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape or PFA | 0.009 (0.22) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5461-110 | 46 (7/54) (7/0.016 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 4,728 (15,500) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | 0.008 (0.20) | 35.1 (115) | 50 |
5481-110 | 48 (7/56) (7/0.012 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 7,010 (23,000) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | 0.007 (0.17) | 36.6 (120) | 50 |
5501-125 | 50 (7/58) (7/0.01 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 11,430 (37,500) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | 0.006 (0.15) | 38.1 (125) | 50 |
5401-090 | 40 (7/48) (7/0.031 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 1,525 (5,000) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.015 (0.37) | 27.5 (90) | 60 |
5411-090 | 41 (7/49) (7/0.028 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 1,525 (5,000) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.014 (0.35) | 27.5 (90) | 60 |
5421-090 | 42 (7/50) (7/0.025 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,227 (7,300) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.013 (0.32) | 27.5 (90) | 60 |
5431-090 | 43 (7/51) (7/0.023 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,288 (7,500) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.012 (0.3) | 27.5 (90) | 60 |
5441-090 | 44 (7/52) (7/0.02 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 3,203 (10,500) | PFA = Perfluoroalkoxy | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.011 (0.27) | 27.5 (90) | 60 |
Proterial’s advanced foam PFA extrusion process delivers low capacitance cable with reliable performance. We utilize a polyester tape skin over the foam to deliver the dielectric withstand voltage required by the medical industry. 38 AWG to 48 AWG wire sizes are available. These are 70, 75, and 85 Ohm impedance cables.
Coaxial Product Number | Inner Conductor- AWG (Stranding) | Inner Conductor – Material | Conductor DCR@20°C Ω/kft (Ω/km) | Insulation Material | Shield Material | Jacket Material | Jacket – Diameter – Inch (mm) | Capacitance pF/ft (pF/m) | Impedance @10Mhz (Ω) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5381-060 | 38 (7/46) (7/0.04 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 1,007 (3,300) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.021 (0.54) | 18.3 (60) | 75 |
5401-060 | 40 (7/48) (7/0.03 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 1,525 (5,000) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.016 (0.41) | 18.3 (60) | 75 |
5411-060 | 41 (7/49) (7/0.028 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 1,525 (5,000) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.014 (0.36) | 18.3 (60) | 75 |
5421-060 | 42 (7/50) (7/0.025 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,227 (7,300) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.013 (0.34) | 18.3 (60) | 75 |
5431-060 | 43 (7/51) (7/0.023 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,288 (7,500) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.012 (0.31) | 18.3 (60) | 75 |
5441-060 | 44 (7/52) (7/0.02 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 3,203 (10,500) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.011 (0.28) | 18.3 (60) | 75 |
5461-060 | 46 (7/54) (7/0.016 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 4,728 (15,550) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.01 (0.25) | 18.3 (60) | 75 |
5481-070 | *48 (7/56) (7/0.013 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 7,010 (23,000) | PFA with Airspace Aperture (+Polyester tape skin) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.008 (0.21) | 21.4 (70) | 70 |
5401-050 | 40 (7/48) (7/0.03 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 1,525 (5,000) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.019 (0.47) | 15.3 (50) | 85 |
5411-050 | 41 (7/48) (7/0.03 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 1,525 (5,000) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.016 (0.4) | 15.3 (50) | 85 |
5421-050 | 42 (7/50) (7/50) (7/0.025 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,227 (7,300) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.016 (0.41) | 15.3 (50) | 85 |
5431-050 | 43 (7/51) (7/0.023 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,288 (7,500) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.014 (0.35) | 15.3 (50) | 85 |
5441-050 | 44 (7/52) (7/0.02 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 3,203 (10,500) | Cellular PFA (+Polyester tape skin) | Tinned Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape | 0.013 (0.32) | 15.3 (50) | 85 |
Proterial solid conductor constructions combine all the attributes of the stranded wire coaxials while offering a slightly smaller diameter with improved current carrying capacity, and lower loss.
Features and Benefits:
Coaxial Product Number | Inner Conductor – AWG (Solid) | Inner Conductor – Material | Conductor DCR@20°C Ω/kft (Ω/km) | Insulation – Material | Shield – Material | Jacket – Material | Jacket – Diameter Inch (mm) | Capacitance Pf/ft (pF/m) | Impedance@10MHz (Ω) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5403-110 | 40 (1/40) (1/0.08 mm) | Silver Plate Copper Alloy | 1,372 (4,500) | PFA | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape (0.02 mm Thick) | 0.013 (0.33) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5423-110 | 42 (1/42) (1/0.064 mm) | Silver Plate Copper Alloy | 2,134 (7,000) | PFA | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape (0.02 mm Thick) | 0.011 (0.274) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5443-110 | 44 (1/44) (1/0.051 mm) | Silver Plate Copper Alloy | 3,353 (11,000) | PFA | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape (0.02 mm Thick) | 0.009 (0.221) | 33.6 (110) | 50 |
5463-115 | 46 (1/46) (1/0.040 mm) | Silver Plate Copper Alloy | 5,395 (17,700) | PFA | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape (0.02 mm Thick) | 0.007 (0.19) | 35.1 (115) | 50 |
5483-120 | 48 (1/48) (1/0.030 mm) | Silver Plate Copper Alloy | 9,601 (31,500) | PFA | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape (0.02 mm Thick) | 0.006 (0.156) | 36.6 (120) | 50 |
5503-125 | 50 (1/50) (1/0.025 mm) | Silver Plate Copper Alloy | 13,868 (45,500) | PFA | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | Polyester Tape (0.02 mm Thick) | 0.005 (0.139) | 38.1 (125) | 50 |
Composition | Breakdown Tensile Strength (Mpa) | Electrical Conductivity (%IACS) | Bending Repetitions (# Times) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
NN (Proterial Standard) | Cu-0.19% Sn-0.20% In | 890 | 76 | 1.2×10⁴ |
S-MF-AG* Proterial-High Performance | Cu-2.0 % Ag | 950 | 85 | 1.2×10⁴ |
Conventional Industry Alloy A | Cu-0.3 % Sn | 875 | 73 | 1.1×10⁴ |
Conventional Industry Alloy B | Cu-0.8 % Cr | 460 | 90 | 6.0×10⁴ |
AWG Size | Conductor (Strands/Wire Dia. Um) | Standard Conductor Resistance (ohm/km) NN | Standard Conductor Resistance (ohm/km) S-MF-AG |
---|---|---|---|
43 | 43 (7/51) (7/0.023 mm) | 7,500 | 6,700 |
44 | 44 (7/52) (7/0.20mm) | 9,800 | 8,900 |
45 | 45 (7/53) (7/0.018 mm) | 12,300 | 11,000 |
46 | 46 (7/54) (7/0.016 mm) | 15,500 | 14,000 |
48 | 48 (7/56) (7/0.012 mm) | 23,700 | 21,500 |
50 | 50(7/58) (7/0.10 mm) | N/A | 35,500 |
The chart below is a useful tool for understanding the behavior of a single coaxial (with 7 strand conductors) in relation to size, group bundling, frequency and flex life.
Item | 48 AWG (7/56) (7/0.012 mm) (120 pF/m) | 46 AWG (7/54) (7/0.016 mm) (115 pF/m) | 48 AWG (7/56) (7/0.012 mm) (70 pF/m) | 46 AWG (7/54) (7/0.016 mm) (60 pF/m) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Diameter of micro-coaxial | .006 in (0.165 mm) | .008 in (0.195 mm) | .0085 in (0.215 mm) | .010 in (0.250 mm) |
Cable Diameter (128 micro-coaxial) | .122 in (3.1 mm) | .138 in (3.5 mm) | .150 in (3.8 mm) | .169 in (4.3 mm) |
Characteristic Impedance (at 10 MHz) | 50 Ω | 50 Ω | 70 Ω | 75 Ω |
Capacitance (at 1 kHz) | 120 pF/n | 115 pF/n | 70 pF/n | 60 pF/n |
Inner Conductor Resistance | 21.5 Ω/m | 14.5 Ω/m | 21.5 Ω/m | 14.5 Ω/m |
Attenuation (at 10 MHz) | 2.1 dB/m | 1.45 dB/m | 1.3 dB/m | 0.85 dB/m |
Attenuation (at 50 MHz) | 2.9 dB/m | 2.35 dB/m | 1.8 dB/m | 1.25 dB/m |
+/- 90 degrees bend test (Radius = 2mm) | Over 500k cycles | Over 500k cycles | Over 500k cycles | Over 500k cycles |
In addition to Micro-coaxial cable, Proterial offers high performance single lead wire which is at the heart of our Micro-coaxial line. Providing extremely thin wall PFA and our standard alloy materials, our lead wire offers the same exceptional characteristics that customers have come to expect.
Single Lead Wire Product Number | Inner Conductor AWG (Stranding) | Inner Conductor Material | Conductor DCR@20°C Ω/kft (Ω/km) | Insulation Material | Diameter Inch (mm) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ME-PFA 1X36 AWG | 36 (7/44) (7/0.05mm) | Tinned Annealed Copper | 479 (1,572) | PFA | .01 (0.26) |
ME-PFA 1X38 AWG | 38 (7/46) (7/0.04mm) | Tinned Copper Alloy | 1,006 (3,300) | PFA | .008 (0.21) |
ME-PFA 1X40 AWG | 40 (7/46) (7/0.031mm) | Tinned Copper Alloy | 1,524 (5,000) | PFA | .006 (0.16) |
ME-PFA 1X41 AWG | 41 (7/49) (7/0.028 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 1,524 (5,000) | PFA | .006 (0.155) |
ME-PFA 1X42 AWG | 42 (7/50) (7/0.025 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,286 (7,500) | PFA | .005 (0.135) |
ME-PFA 1X43 AWG | 43 (7/51) (7/0.023 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,286 (7,500) | PFA | .005 (0.13) |
ME-PFA 1X44 AWG | 44 (7/52) (7/0.02 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 3,200 (10,500) | PFA | .005 (0.12) |
ME-PFA 1X45 AWG | 45 (7/53) (7/0.018 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 3,749 (12,300) | PFA | .004 (0.011) |
ME-PFA 1X46 AWG | 46 (7/54) (7/0.016 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 4,724 (15,500) | PFA | .004 (0.095) |
ME-PFA 1X48 AWG | 48 (7/56) (7/0.012 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 7,315 (24,000) | PFA | .003 (0.085) |
ME-PFA 1X50 AWG | 50 (7/58) (7/0.01 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 11,430 (37,500) | PFA | .003 (0.075) |
Single Lead Wire Product Number | Inner Conductor- AWG (Stranding) | Inner Conductor – Material | Conductor DCR@20°C Ω/kft (Ω/km) | Insulation – Material | Diameter – Inch(mm) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ME-PFA 1X40AWG(1/0.080) | 40 (1/40) (1/0.080 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 1,373 (4,500) | PFA | .0055 (0.14) |
ME-PFA 1X42AWG(1/0.064) | 42 (1/42) (1/0.064 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 2,135 (7,000) | PFA | .005 (0.124) |
ME-PFA 1X44AWG(1/0.051) | 44 (1/44) (1/0.051 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 3,355 (11,000) | PFA | .004 (0.101) |
ME-PFA 1X46AWG(1/0.04) | 46 (1/46) (1/0.040 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 5,399 (17,000) | PFA | .003 (0.080) |
ME-PFA 1X48AWG(1/0.03) | 48 (1/48) (1/0.030 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 9,608 (31,500) | PFA | .003 (0.070) |
ME-PFA 1X50AWG(1/0.025) | 50 (1/50) (1/0.025 mm) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 13,878 (45,500) | PFA | .00025 (0.065) |
Our bundles can include many different styles of cables in addition to micro-coaxial cable. Proterial offers various tubing for air or fluidics, specialty optical fiber for data and power transport, or just basic data and power copper wiring. We custom design each cable for whatever evolving and demanding need occurs. Hybrid bundling of a multi-function cable is also available.
Features & Benefits:
A number of micro-coaxials are bundled for ultrasound probe cable. Typical design specifications should include the style of coax, the number of coax, the shield configuration, flexibility requirements, type of sheath and sheath color. Custom designs are also available upon request.
The applications for medical probe cables, typically used in ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, can be expanded to other medical equipment such as endoscopes, catheters, and animal probes. Proterial Cable offers customized cable to meet specific needs depending on the application or equipment.
Our high strength micro-coaxial cable with ultra-thin medical grade jacketing is the optimal solution for advanced catheter applications.
Features and Benefits:
Standard twisted pairs can be used for differential signal lines (putting equal but opposite voltage on each of the wires). This ensures that noise effects are significantly reduced. Typically twisted pairs reach their limits around ~2-4 Gbps while twinaxials can perform well at higher transmission rates. Twisted pairs may have better flex characteristics over twinaxial designs.
Twinaxial constructions have the pairs laid parallel to each other. This approach allows for very high bandwidth applications greater than that of common twisted pairs. They result in lower attentuation due to a shorter travel distance, better impedance characteristics and better control of skew within the pair. Typically twisted pairs reach their limits around ~2-4 Gbps while twinaxials can perform well at higher transmission rates. Twinax signals are especially good at 5 Gbps+ up to and as high as 25 Gbps / channel currently.
Structure | Inner Conductor AWG (Stnading) Material | Inner Conductor DCR@20°C Ω/kft (Ω/km) | insulations | Pair Diameter Inch (mm) | Shield Material | Jacket Material | Jacket Diameter Inch(mm) | Capacitance pF/ft (pF/m) | Impedance @10Mhz (Ω) |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cable Example 1 | Shielded Twinax w/o Jacket | 40 (7/48) | 16,404 (5,000) | PFA | 008 x .016 (0.203 x 0.406) | 6 Ends 46 AWG Hard Tin Copper | – | – | 48 pF/m | 100 +/- 5 |
Cable Example 2 | Shielded Twinax w/Jacket | 40 (7/48) | 16,404 (5,000) | PFA | .008 x .016 (0.203 x 0.406) | 6 Ends 46 AWG Hard Tin Copper | PET TAPE | .016 x .024 (0.406 x 0.610) | 48 pF/m | 100 +/- 5 |
Cable Example 3 | unshielded Twisted Pair w/o Jacket | 48 (7/56) (7/0.013 mm) Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 24,000 (7,230) | PFA | .007 (0.178) | – | – | – | TBD | TBD |
Cable Example 4 | unshielded Twisted Pair w/Jacket | 48 (7/56) (7/0.013 mm) Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 24,000 (7,230) | PFA | .007 (0.178) | – | PFA | .009 (0.229) | TBD | TBD |
Cable Example 5 | Shielded Twisted Pair | 48 (7/56) (7/0.013 mm) Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 24,000 (7,230) | PFA | .007 (0.178) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | PFA | .011 (0.279) | TBD | TBD |
Cable Example 6 | Unshielded Twisted Pair w/o Jacket | 50 (7/58) (7/0.01 mm) Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 40,500 (12,370) | PFA | .0055 (0.14) | – | – | – | TBD | TBD |
Cable Example 7 | Unshielded Twisted Pair w/Jacket | 50 (7/58) (7/0.01 mm) Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 40,500 (12,370) | PFA | .0055 (0.14) | – | PFA | .008 (0.203) | TBD | TBD |
Cable Example 8 | Shielded Twisted Pair | 50 (7/58) (7/0.01 mm) Silver Plated Copper Alloy | 40,500 (12,370) | PFA | .0055 (0.14) | Silver Plated Copper Alloy | PFA | .009 (0.229) | TBD | TBD |
Thermal Management of Medical Cables and Devices is becoming increasingly challenging and critical to the reliability and usability of advanced surgical, imaging and implantable devices. As the trend for lighter, smaller and more operable cables continues so will the trend for finer wire with increased coaxial counts. This will drive the ongoing need for improved cable and device thermal management. When designing a cable, the shield design can have a significant impact on thermal resistance. Secondly, an improved shield can be further improved with a proper thermal connection. Contact Proterial for additional support to maximize your designs’ performance.