Four Types of Tubing Materials used in Medical Device Applications

MedTech Outlook | Tuesday, August 24, 2021

To choose the best tubing material for medical device application, it is crucial to consider chemical resistance, pressure capabilities, and more.

Fremont, CA: It is vital to ensure that medical devices perform their functions properly. Medical devices should pose no health risks and be safe to use on patients. To choose the appropriate tubing product and provider for a given application, device designers must study application parameters whilst addressing the product's regulatory and compliance needs.

Physical temperature ranges, pressure capabilities, and chemical resistance to fluids encountered by the device are some of the factors to consider when choosing tubing material for a medical device application. Other key factors to consider are cost, durometer, or softness of the material and bend radius, which determines the product's kink resistance in application use. It is also important to ensure that the tubing supplier meets the quality standards and all the tubing requirements for the application.

Four types of tubing materials used in medical device applications:

PVC tubing

PVC tubing is used in the medical industry for a very long time. It is very durable, lightweight, and can resist various chemicals and corrosion. Other materials such as silicones or TPEs are more commonly seen in industries where high purity tubing is crucial to conventional uses, and PVC is certainly not the ideal solution.

Silicone tubing

Silicone tubing has two main categories; peroxide cured silicone and platinum cured silicone. Both types are used in medical device applications. Platinum cured silicone is the best option to choose when the highest level of purity is required. Silicone tubing materials are free from toxic substances, making them highly pure compared to other tubing materials.

TPE tubing

TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) tubing is another option for high purity tubes. TPE is a phthalate-free polyurethane tubing that offers good pressure, tear, and chemical resistance. TPE tubing has properties of both rubber and plastic. The components of TPE tubing also meet the FDA standards.

Fluoropolymers

Fluoropolymers have been used in the medical industry for a long time. Fluoropolymers are highly pure but are not as flexible as other materials. Fluoropolymer tubing products have unique properties like extreme tensile strength, high chemical resistance, and a wide range of operating temperatures.

See Also:Top 10 Encryption Solutions Companies