Page 29 - Plastics News October 2021

FEATURE

transparent, flexible and made with (UHMWPE) and silicon hydrogel are Plastics as Major Raw Materials
biomechanics similar to those of a used for manufacturing disposable Polymers comprise nearly half of all
natural cornea. Medical Devices. medical technology materials used.
Hearing aids: A plastic implant can help Medical Polymer For Critical Medi-
bring sound back to the ears of people cal Applications
with severely impaired hearing. A small Polymer Medical Applications
plastic device consisting of numerous
different components can bypass the Polytetrafluoroethylene Vascular grafts,
(PTFE, Teflon, }
catheters,
damaged cells that caused patients' Gore-Tex® introducers
hearing loss in the first place to directly Poly (ethylene Vascular grafts,
stimulate the auditory nerve, thereby terephalate) (PET, drug delivery, non-
enabling them to hear again. polyester, Dacron ®) resorbable sutures
Pill capsules: Plastics are what enable Poly (methyl Bone cement, dental
methacrylate)
cement, intraocular
time-release capsules to disperse exactly (PMMA, Perspex, lens
the right dosage of medicine at exactly acrylic)
the right time. Tartaric acid-based Polyurethane (PU, Catheters, tubing,
polymers gradually break down to release TPU, Pellethane, artificial heart, As medical applications grow more
the pill’s contents. This helps eliminate Bionate, Elast-Eon) pacing lead sophisticated, manufacturers are turning
the risk of patient discomfort and even insulation to engineering thermoplastics to gain
accidental overdose. Silicone rubber Catheters, feeding the performance they need in such end
(Polydimethylsiloxane, tubes, drainage
Most Widely Used Medical Poly- PDMS) tubes, ventricular uses as:
shunts, introducer
mers tips, adhesive • Drug delivery systems,
Polymers such as are Polyvinylchloride systems • Diagnostic systems,
(PVC), Polypropylene (PP), Polysulfone Polycarbonate (PC) Renal dialysis
(PS) and Polycarbonate (PC), LDPE cartridge, trocar, • Medical device components
(Low Density Polyethylene), HDPE inter tubing • Orthopedic implants:
(High Density Polyethylene), Ultra connector
high molecular weight polyethylene Polypropylene (PP) Non-resorbable • Plastics prosthesis
sutures, hernia mesh
Some of the most commonly used
medical disposable products where
plastics are used as the major raw
materials are Urine and Blood bags,
Drip Infusion Set, Packaging, Catheters
& Masks, Cannula and Oxygenator tube,
Endo tracheal Tubes and Hand gloves,
Wound suction pump and IV fluid
bottles, Syringes, Check valves & Tubing
connectors, IV fluid bottle and Clamps.

A Few Fast Facts on Plastics in Med-
ical Disposables and Healthcare
• In the past few decades, plastics
have made health care simpler and less
painful and made new techniques and
prostheses possible. They have reduced
contamination, relieved pain and cut
medical costs. They have prolonged,
improved and saved lives.

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