Types of Plastics Used in Medical Devices
Medical devices are made using multiple types of materials. Medical-grade plastics are commonly used because they consist of the relevant properties needed.
If you are looking forward to learning about what is medical-grade plastic and the different types of plastics used in medical devices, the guide below can help you.
What is Medical-Grade Plastic？
Medical-grade plastics are types of plastics that are meant to cater to the medical industry. These plastics have properties that make them meet the medical regulatory requirements.
Hence, they are safe for use in the healthcare industry and cater to various applications, from surgical tools to implants.
Medical-grade plastics have features like temperature and corrosion resistance, impact and wear resistance, biodegradability, and durability.
These plastic components have the ability to withstand sterilization processes, which are very common in medical applications.
Benefits of Medical-Grade Plastic Parts in Healthcare
Medical-grade plastics are opted for their exceptional benefits, which are given below:
- Medical-grade plastics can withstand sterilization processes because not all medical devices can be disposed of as not all of them are made with single-use medical-grade plastics. Hence, when the components are reusable, they have to be sterilized to avoid the spread of diseases.
- Medical-grade plastics are versatile, and they are used in IVs, masks, surgical tools, and many other applications in the medical industry.
- Medical-grade plastics are safe. They are durable and suitable for patients to use, ensuring their health and safety.
- The lives of many patients have improved due to the use of medical-grade plastics because they ensure to be lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
- Medical-grade plastics are recyclable and hence offer environment friendliness. These plastics are used in various applications in medical industries without harming the environment, offering easy disposal and recyclability.
Common Types of Plastics Used in Medical Devices and Their Uses
Some of the common types of medical-grade plastics are as follows:
Polycarbonates(PC)
Polycarbonate has a very ideal chemical structure and offers high thermal and impact resistance followed by durability, UV resistance and toughness.
It can also be exposed to high temperatures and does not deform or crack.
It is used in medical signage and panels.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is a medical grade plastic which has the ability to undergo sterilization and steam.
It is also very affordable. This plastic can also be easily recycled and has durability when subjected to chemicals.
It is commonly used in disposable syringes, plastic containers, bottles of prescriptions, finger joint prostheses, etc.
Polyethylene (PE)
PE is a durable, affordable and tough plastic which is known for its high chemical resistance and low absorption characteristic. It is also highly biocompatible.
PE is used in medical implants and medical devices, which are frequently sterilized.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC is a very diverse plastic that offers corrosion resistance and high thermal stability. It also offers hardness and yet is flexible.
PVC is used in making feeding tubes, catheters, and bags used in infusing dialysis fluids and nutrients to patients.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene(ABS)
ABS plastic is durable and rigid. It can be used as an alternative to metal parts in medical devices.
It can take various forms after going through the molding process to create different medical components. It can also withstand gamma radiation and sterilization processes.
ABS is used in tracheal tubes and prostheses.
Polymethyl Methacrylate(PMMA)
PMMA is also known as acrylic and it has properties identical to glass. It can offer reflection and transmission of light.
PMMA is used in endoscopic implants.
Polystyrene(PS)
Polystyrene offers ease of sterilization and offers optical properties.
Polystyrene is used in petri dishes, tissue culture trays, test tubes, and diagnostic tools.
Polysulfone(PSU)
Polysulfone is a type of medical-grade plastic that offers excellent transparency and thermal stability.
It is a tough plastic which can withstand repeated sterilization and also offers resistance against hydrolysis.
PSU is used for sterilization trays, medical devices, surgical instruments, IV connectors, and dialysis membranes.
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG)
PETG is a highly machinable, durable and dimensionally stable type of plastic. It can withstand procedures which involve radiation and sterilization and doesn't fade.
It is mostly used in sterilization trays and food preparation containers in hospitals.
Polyurethane (PUR)
PUR is a polymer which is flexible and rigid at the same time. It is opted for its resistance against wear and biocompatibility.
PUR is used in wound dressings, catheters, and implants.
Polyimide(PI)
PI is known for its excellent mechanical properties. It has chemical resistance and thermal stability is also highly durable.
It is used in manufacturing tubing, catheters, wearable sensors, diagnostic medical devices, etc.
Polyphenylene Oxide(PPO)
PPO has low moisture absorption, high dimensional stability and excellent electric properties. It can easily blend with other materials for various applications.
PPO is used in housings of medical devices– components which handle fluids like pumps and valves and some diagnostic tools.
Silicone
Silicone is a versatile material which offers biocompatibility, flexibility and resistance against high temperature. It is also capable of being sterilized frequently.
Silicone is used in different types of medical implants, medical tubing and tapes which are used for wounds.
Conclusion
The use of plastic for medical devices is quite common, and there are versatile plastics that are used in the healthcare sector.
If you are looking forward to getting medical-grade plastic components manufactured, you can contact DEK. We offer a wide range of high quality medical grade plastics.
FAQs
What medical-grade plastics are biocompatible?
PVC and polystyrene are the most biocompatible plastics used in the medical industry.
How are medical-grade plastic parts made?
The process of injection molding is used to manufacture plastic medical parts.
What type of plastic is used in surgery?
Polyethylene is usually opted for in surgery, especially when it comes to making implants.
