Page 14 - Plastics News June 2021

AipmA At work

Plastics A Life Saver Sector- Innovated by Human being for Human Life

Arvind M. Mehta
Chairman -Governing Council AIPMA
Past President – AIPMA & Plastindia Foundation

lastics - a life saver sector e.g. Operation theatres 75% Modern healthcare would not be possible without the
Pequipments’ products invented is Plastics it is one use of plastic materials. From the casing of an open MRI
of the most advanced material humanity ever created machine to the smallest tubing, plastics have made health
contributing to longer healthier lives of public at large is a care simpler and less painful. Things we take for granted
gift & great resource which saves countless lives, prevents such as disposable syringes, intravenous blood bags and
diseases at large. Acts like mother does work every day heart valves are all made of plastic.
but it is in back stage.
Patients have directly benefitted from plastic within
medical devices. To help combat the growing concern
of hospital-borne infections, high tech polymers and
“antimicrobial plastic” have been created and used in
devices that reduce the risk of infection to patients.
These plastics repel or even kill most bacteria, even on
high-touch surfaces, preventing infections. Interestingly,
antimicrobial plastics have an extremely high effectiveness
of killing bacteria even when surfaces aren’t regularly
cleaned.
Just from the use of safety measures inherent to or
designed into plastic components, plastic has had a
significant impact on increased safety of patients.
For example, virtually all pharmaceutical packaging
Plastics as a material is very versatile and has saved millions has tamper-proof measures such as blister packs and
of lives during this ongoing Covid pandemic. Unfortunately, childproof caps.
the perception of plastics continues to remain negative
which in itself is a paradox. We need to correct New plastic technologies are allowing medical inventors
the perception of plastics amongst civil society and and manufacturing engineers to develop new medical
governments by highlighting the potential of Plastics in devices. Because of the ability to design and manufacture
healthcare and medicine. components from the tiniest and intricate molds, plastics
are now being used in surgical devices and procedures,
Modern healthcare would be impossible without the many and products like modern pacemakers, stents, or joint
plastic-based medical products we take for granted. Did replacement devices.
you ever have a look around during a doctor visit? Plastics
are everywhere, from exam gloves to sterile syringes and Plastics have helped contribute to a reduction in medical
adhesive bandage strips from intravenous blood bags to costs, for the medical providers – and translated to
IV tubes or heart valves Plastics packaging is particularly consumer costs. For example, cost savings has come
suitable for medical applications. from the use of smaller, lightweight and portable medical
devices used in in-home treatments (such as kidney
Thanks to its exceptional barrier properties, it safely dialysis machines, bathtub chairseat lifts, or even simple
guards against contamination. Innovations in plastics are bed pans).
making new procedures possible. Just think of an artificial
plastic heart, of bacteria-resistant plastics or of body Plastic components have helped healthcare patients live
parts tailored to the needs of the patient and printed in healthier and happier lives, while at the same time passing
the 3D printer. the savings onto the healthcare device manufacturers and
healthcare providers. As healthcare continues to improve,

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