Plastic Products for Medical Applications

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance material known for its extreme chemical resistance and strength, even at high temperatures. It is often used in blood pumps and reservoirs because it won’t react to or contaminate the blood.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a fantastic material for medical cabinets, shelves, and partitions due to its chemical and corrosion resistance, low moisture absorption, and high strength. It’s also extremely durable and capable of enduring constant use. 

Surgical caddies are used to store and move surgical instruments, so they must be easy to sterilize. Medical-grade plastic is an excellent material solution, as it’s lightweight for easy transport and compartments can be labeled by laser cutting or screen printing. While many polymers can be used, PPSU features improved impact strength and thermal stability over its PSU cousin, making it the perfect fit for ultimate performance.

Cleanrooms are controlled environments that filter out dust and airborne particles to provide a “clean,” uncontaminated space for sensitive medical equipment or pharmaceutical development. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene (PP) are often used in cleanroom wall panels because they are easy to fabricate, install, and clean with solid chemical resistance. Medical-grade PP carries USP Class VI compliance and can even be autoclaved.

While many applications deal with exceedingly high temperatures, cryogenics requires materials that perform in extremely low temperatures. Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) is unique in its ability to handle operating temperatures as low as -400°F.

ETFE tubing’s ability to reduce contamination risks and protect samples makes it a go-to for lab testing and diagnostics, especially when transferring samples from one container to another.

Dialysis containers and equipment both need to be made of biocompatible, high-performance materials that can be sterilized regularly. PEEK is often the ideal match for dialysis equipment due to its excellent performance properties.

Endoscopic devices are designed to come in close contact with organic tissue without reacting to the patient. Polysulfone (PSU), such as Solvay’s Udel® or Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s Sultron™, is a semi-transparent material known for its mechanical capabilities, paired with strong thermal and chemical tolerances. Its hydrolytic stability and high chemical resistance make it a common material for endoscopic control body housings.

Equipment handles throughout the healthcare, medical, dental, and life sciences industries are designed for constant use and regular exposure to organic substances. Both PSU and PEI are proven materials, capable of enduring constant use, routine sterilization, and regular exposure to foreign materials. PSU is commonly used for handles, while PEI’s high strength makes it better suited for equipment components.

Face shields provide eye protection for medical professionals without sacrificing optical clarity. LEXAN™ polycarbonate is easy to clean and disinfect while offering high strength and an anti-fog coating.

Filtration and fermentation need materials that are strong enough to protect sensitive material while also allowing it to filter or ferment as needed. ETFE offers an excellent combination of chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and flexibility, which help these systems operate at peak efficiency.

During kidney dialysis, a semi-permeable membrane removes toxins from a patient’s blood. PSU such as Solvay’s Udel is slightly porous, which makes cleansing and purifying organic fluid simpler and more effective.

Medical machine components come with a long list of needs. On top of being biocompatible, they must be able to handle extreme conditions, constant use, and frequent sterilization. Polyetherimide (PEI), such as ULTEM™, is considered one of the strongest materials available. Its strength and durability, along with its flame and gamma radiation capabilities, allow it to handle routine abuse for long periods of time.

Medical tubing needs to be lightweight, durable, chemical-resistant, and abrasion-resistant to maintain purity and safety. Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) is a soft, flexible plastic frequently used for medical tubing. With operating temperatures of up to 300°F, it is strong enough to safely transfer various fluids across an array of conditions. At even higher temperatures, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) may be utilized.

Orthopedics is a growing market driven by constant advancement. Implants, such as knee and hip replacements, must be made from biocompatible, chemically inert materials that can permanently operate inside the patient while coexisting with organic tissue. PEEK, such as Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s Ketron® or Westlake’s AROLUX™, has ultra-high strength with very low absorption, which makes it the perfect material for orthopedic implants. Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) is commonly used for orthopedic trials as it is biocompatible and comes in a range of colors. Each standard implant size is typically fabricated in a different color. These colored trial implants are then used to determine the correct size needed for a patient’s permanent implant. 

PCTFE comes loaded with an array of protective features that help retain sample purity, especially when samples are moved from one place to another. Its chemical resistance ensures it won’t react to the samples, while its low-flammability and near-zero absorption protect it from outside contaminants.