PHOx: An Innovative, Safer Polymer for Implantable Medical Devices

A team from the GIGA (Cardiology Laboratory) and the CESAM (Centre de recherche sur les macromolécules – CERM) at the University of Liège has developed PHOx, a thermoplastic elastomer without isocyanate PU (NIPU), which is therefore less toxic to produce and much better tolerated by the human body. Read on to learn more.

Innovative Tech Enables Shape Memory Dental Aligners

A new technology incorporates a shape memory material for clear plastic dental aligners, an alternative to traditional metal braces.

2024 Sustainability Stakeholder Study - Healthcare

In 2024, Plastics Ingenuity interviewed a share of the stakeholders in the healthcare packaging sector. These organizations include medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, biotech products, and life science applications. Read on to learn more.

Parallel Fluidics Produces Ultra-Precise Microfluidics Prototypes with CYROLITE® MD

The field of microfluidics is a key technology for the medicine of the future. Having already revolutionized the world of laboratory medicine by enabling samples to be analyzed much faster, it also plays a major role in the development of new drugs. Read on to learn about Parallel Fluidics, which specializes in rapid manufacturing of microfluidics prototypes for the life sciences sector.

Product of the Month

See the product of the month: Plastic Ingenuity's validated thermoformed ready-to-use pharma tubs. The tubs are comparable to traditional injection molded tubs; however, they offer rapid development, a lower cost of entry, and material reductions.

Insights into the State of the Plastics Processing Industry

In a time of evolving challenges and uncertainties, understanding the plastics marketplace has never been more critical for company leaders. A clear grasp of the industry’s current...

UV Cure Silicone Elastomers

Momentive Performance Materials (Booth 2427) is demonstrating its silicone elastomers for long-term implants at MD&M West. Momentive's ReliaSil UV product line combines the benefits of the ambient cure found in...

Scalable 3D Printing Technique Produces Stretchable, Flexible Soft Plastics

A team has reported that they used a class of widely available polymers called thermoplastic elastomers to create soft 3D printed structures with tunable stiffness. Engineers can design the print path used by the 3D printer to program the plastic’s physical properties so that a device can stretch and flex repeatedly in one direction while remaining rigid in another. Read on to learn more.

Factors and Requirements for Adhesive Selection in Medical Devices, Part 1

Part 1 of this article examines adhesive bonding of plastics in medical devices. The set of desired properties for medical-grade adhesives ultimately depends upon the specifics of the application and the kind of sterilization process that will be used. Read on to learn more.

Product Showcase

See the product showcase, which includes Accumold All-Plastic Molded Cannula technology; Arnold Magnetic Technologies' thin metals and flexible composite solutions; the OmniCure® S2000 Elite; Omnetics’ Nano-D connectors; the Lee Company’s Full Isolation Dual Seal Precision Dispense Pump; and much more.

Elastomer Material Flexibility Optimizes Performance

When specifying a high-performance material for a medical device application, temperature, chemical environment and compatibility, hardness, compression set resistance, and certification considerations quickly build stringent material requirements. Expert suppliers consult with OEMs to think creatively, support product development, and collaborate to find solutions that will deliver necessary results.

Advancing Medical Device Sustainability with Specialty Thermoplastics

By choosing specialty thermoplastics, device manufacturers can help reduce the environmental impact of their products while gaining plastic's well-known benefits of expanded design freedom and streamlined, high-volume production of parts compared to metal alternatives.

Product of the Month

See the product of the month: Formlabs' three healthcare-focused materials -- BioMed Elastic 50A Resin, BioMed Flex 80A Resin, and IBT Flex Resin.

MGS Mfg. Group Acquires Denmark-Based Technolution

MGS Mfg. Group, Inc. (MGS), a global provider of integrated manufacturing solutions for complex, high-precision plastic components for healthcare and pharma applications, has acquired...

Summer 2023 Resource Guide

In our summer edition of the MDB Resource Guide, learn about new cleaning requirements and find the right company to match your medical-design needs.

Evaluating Ultrasonic Welding of Medical Plastics: Part 2

A previous article described the theoretical framework for USW of thermoplastics. This article presents the key parameters and materials influencing an ultrasonic welding process, so that USW can be accomplished successfully.

Plastic Transistor Amplifies Biochemical Sensing Signal

The molecules in our bodies are in constant communication. Now, researchers have developed a new technology that makes it easier to eavesdrop on our body’s inner conversations.

High-Performance Crosslinkable Thermoplastic Elastomers for Medical Applications

A family of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) crosslinked by irradiation improve thermomechanical properties and chemical resistance at elevated temperatures.

Stretchable Probe Measures Brain Chemicals

A new string-like implant can monitor fluctuations in brain chemicals, like a fitness tracker for the brain.

Product Launch Copolymer Resins Improve Device Durability

Two new LNP™ CRX polycarbonate (PC) copolymer resins from SABIC offer a distinct combination of robust chemical and impact resistance, thin-wall transparency, dimensional stability...

Global Medical Tubing Market To Grow At A CAGR of 5.5% By 2030

The global medical tubing market size was worth around USD 10.5 billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow to around USD 17.0 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate...

Printable, Transparent Plastic Is Highly Conductive

Researchers have designed a transparent polymer film that conducts electricity as effectively as other commonly used materials, while also being flexible and easy to use at an industrial scale.

Extrusion Process Enables Synthetic Material Growth

A team of scientists and engineers has developed a first-of-its-kind, plant-inspired extrusion process that enables synthetic material growth.

Raumedic AG Publishes Sustainability Report

Raumedic AG, Helmbrechts, Germany, has published its first sustainability report based on the internationally recognized standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The report relates to the...

Winter 2022 Resource Guide

In our summer edition of the MDB Resource Guide, learn about new cleaning requirements and find the right company to match your medical-design needs.

Plasma Treatment: Transforming Plastic Parts into High-Value Products

For medical device manufacturers that work with different kinds of plastics, utilizing plasma treatments can create competitive advantages.

Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Chemical Resistance of Thermoplastics for Non-Disposable Medical Devices – A Voice from Industry Collaboration Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

Disinfectant formulations tend to be comprised of an active ingredient, a solvent or aqueous carrier solution, and additional constituents that enhance the formulation’s properties.

Helmet Made of Magnetic Metamaterials Could Improve Brain Scans

It may look like a bizarre bike helmet, or a piece of equipment found in Doc Brown’s lab in Back to the Future, yet this gadget made of plastic and copper wire is a...