Inflatable Bellow & Bladder for X-Ray Machines


Bombay Rubber & Carbon Works manufactures precision inflatable bellows and bladders engineered for X-ray imaging systems, mammography units, and medical diagnostic equipment. These components provide controlled compression, positioning, and sealing functions critical for image quality, patient comfort, and equipment reliability.

Parameter Specification
Product Inflatable Bellow & Bladder for X-Ray Machines
Material High-purity Nitrile (NBR), Silicone (VMQ), or EPDM
Hardness 50–70 Shore A (typical for bladders); 40–60 Shore A (for bellows)
Operating Pressure 0.2–0.5 bar (3–7 psi) continuous; burst pressure > 2.0 bar
Temperature Range -40°C to +80°C (Nitrile); -50°C to +200°C (Silicone)
Leak Test Passed at 0.3 bar continuous pressure (per OEM standards)
Biocompatibility USP Class VI, ISO 10993-5 (cytotoxicity) compliant options
Sterilization Resistance Compatible with EtO, gamma radiation, and low-temperature plasma
Custom Profiles Circular, rectangular, toroidal, or convoluted bellows geometries

All compounds are formulated for low extractables and minimal outgassing in sealed imaging environments.

    Key Functions in X-Ray Systems

    Inflatable bellows and bladders serve multiple roles in radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment:

    Compression Paddles (Mammography)
    Inflatable bladders apply uniform, adjustable pressure to compress breast tissue, reducing thickness, minimizing scatter radiation, and improving image contrast.
    Patient Positioning & Immobilization
    Bellows-based devices gently secure limbs or body parts during exposure, reducing motion artifacts.
    Equipment Sealing
    Inflatable gaskets seal access doors, detector housings, and collimator assemblies against dust, moisture, and contaminants.
    Fluoroscopic Indicators
    Pneumatic bladders provide visual/tactile feedback in compression paddle systems for precise positioning.

High-Purity Nitrile (NBR)

A general-purpose compound for bellows and bladders in X-ray and diagnostic equipment.
Typical properties:
• Hardness 50–70 Shore A (bladders); 40–60 Shore A (bellows)
• Operating temperature range -40°C to +80°C

Silicone (VMQ)

Recommended where a wider temperature tolerance or enhanced biocompatibility is required.
Typical properties:
• Operating temperature range -50°C to +200°C
• Available in USP Class VI and ISO 10993-5 (cytotoxicity) compliant options

EPDM

An alternative elastomer option for bellows and bladders where EPDM's chemical and weathering resistance suits the application.

Biocompatibility & Sterilization

Biocompatibility: USP Class VI, ISO 10993-5 (cytotoxicity) compliant options.
Sterilization Resistance: Compatible with EtO, gamma radiation, and low-temperature plasma.
All compounds are formulated for low extractables and minimal outgassing in sealed imaging environments.

Custom Profiles

Circular, rectangular, toroidal, or convoluted bellows geometries can be developed to match OEM specifications.

Recommended for: Mammography, X-ray, fluoroscopy and medical diagnostic equipment requiring precision compression, positioning or sealing.

NBR, Silicone and EPDM compounds offer different temperature and biocompatibility profiles, selected to match OEM specification and sterilization method.

    Mammography Systems Compression paddle bladders for 2D/3D tomosynthesis units.

    Portable X-Ray Units Inflatable positioning aids and detector seals for field-deployable radiography systems.

    Fluoroscopy & C-Arms Pneumatic indicators and compression feedback devices.

    CT & MRI Accessories Inflatable immobilization cushions and coil-positioning bladders.

    Medical Equipment Enclosures Airtight seals for sterilization chambers, isolators, and cleanroom doors in imaging suites.

    Design & Performance Benefits

    Uniform Pressure Distribution
    Inflatable bladders eliminate hard spots, ensuring consistent tissue compression without patient discomfort.
    Controlled Deflection
    Bellows expand/contract predictably under pressure, enabling precise positioning of detectors, collimators, or compression plates.
    Chemical & Thermal Stability
    Resists degradation from cleaning agents, body fluids, and repeated thermal cycling in clinical environments.
    Long Cycle Life
    Engineered for >100,000 inflation/deflation cycles without fatigue or leakage.
    Regulatory Compliance
    Materials meet FDA, USP Class VI, and EU MDR requirements for medical device components.

    Why Choose Bombay Rubber & Carbon Works?

    Medical-Grade Manufacturing
    Cleanroom production, ISO 13485 quality systems, and full traceability.
    Custom Engineering
    Tailored geometries, durometers, and inflation characteristics to match OEM specifications.
    Regulatory Support
    Documentation for FDA 510(k), EU MDR, and ISO 10993 biocompatibility testing.
    Technical Partnership
    From prototype development to volume production and after-sales support.