Materials innovation has been slow-growing in the medical device space. But Qmed's sister UBM media outlet Design News has found examples of plastics that are making a difference.

Qmed Staff

The medical device industry is so heavily regulated, there is a wariness to try out new materials--with innovators turning to the same materials such as polyether and silicone over the decades. 

There are new plastics hitting the market, however, that suggest that materials innovation may be picking up, according to Design News, which like Qmed is part of UBM. 

Covestro, for example, has a new polycarbonate/polyester blend called Makroblend M525 that it developed for wearable medical devices. Makroblend M525 has high impact resistance, and resists wear and tear--not to mention body lotions and other skincare products.

Putnam Plastics' new tri-layer tubing technology, which reduces elongation and greatly improves tensile and burst strength, could decrease the potential for guidewire lock-up in catheters.

Check out the full slideshow on Design News. 

Chris Newmarker is senior editor of Qmed and MPMN. Follow him on Twitter at @newmarker.

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