Technological watch

Today’s polymer innovations targeted for the medical industry are packed with various in-demand properties to achieve great performance as well as utmost comfort for the patient. From medical devices to packaging, these products are bringing the change required in this post-pandemic era.
In this curated piece, check out such recently launched medical grades, top research innovations and revolutionary COVID-related plastic products that helped in the fight against Coronavirus pandemic.
Top 5 Polymer Grades for Healthcare Sector
NovationSi’s CNT-based Rubber for Medical Devices
NovationSi’s PURmix® high consistency rubber (HCR) healthcare compounds that enhance electrical properties of silicone rubber is ideal for medical devices that perform neuromodulation therapies on the human body.
Solvay’s PSU Resin for Tubular Sight Gauges
Solvay’s transparent Udel® P-1700 PSU resin can help achieve superior strength, transparency, heat resistance, hydrolytic stability and retention of mechanical properties under steam sterilization for demanding biopharmaceutical processing conditions. It was successfully used in TBL’s sight gauges used in pharma.
Covestro’s New Polycarbonates for Drug Delivery Devices
Covestro offers two new families of the polycarbonate Makrolon® with improved low-friction types and maximum strength glass-filled products for drug delivery devices. The new low-friction polycarbonates ensure that injections proceed smoothly and reliably – also without additional lubricants.
SABIC’s New Bio-based Polycarbonate for Healthcare Applications
SABIC’s new bio-based LNP™ THERMOCOMP™ DC0041PE-7M1D145W compound offers customers a new sustainable option for demanding applications in healthcare and other key industries. This new flame-retardant, carbon fiber-reinforced PC compound has a reduced carbon/energy footprint while delivering
competitive performance.
DSM’s Advanced Engineering Grades for Medical Devices
Royal DSM launches a new portfolio of engineering materials designed to help global medical device manufacturers improve the quality of care for patients around the world. The materials are intended for use in a broad range of important non-invasive medical devices. They have been tested to meet or exceed important global standards such as U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) food contact compliance, ISO-10993, and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI standards.
Plastic Products Effective Against Coronavirus
Self-sterilizing Polymers Effective Against Coronaviruses
Researchers from North Carolina State University, Boston University and Kraton Corporation have demonstrated a family of self-sterilizing polymers that are effective at inactivating coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19.
Eastman’s Plastic Innovations Prove Efficient Against COVID-19
Splashblocker and Canopy are two companies inspired to create products that address the pain points — providing greater protection as well as comfort, ease of use, and peace of mind for front-line workers and patients. Eastman Tritan™ copolyester proved to be an ideal material for these new innovations because of its transparency and ability to withstand the frequent disinfection and cleaning required in healthcare settings.
Solvay’s Polymers Found Resistant to Strong Surface Disinfectants
Solvay and Metrex have announced the results of a recent study on the compatibility of several advanced Solvay healthcare polymers with Metrex disinfectants. The joint study included CaviWipes™ 2.0 and evaluated the chemical resistance of Solvay’s high-performance polymers and their ability to withstand strong disinfectants used to combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs).
RadiciGroup’s New Production Line for Meltblown Nonwovens
RadiciGroup has invested to purchase a new production line for meltblown nonwoven, the material used for manufacturing protective face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). The investment made by RadiciGroup for the meltblown nonwoven production line is EUR 15 million.
P&G’s New Nasal Swab for Efficient COVID-19 Testing
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has developed a novel nasal swab as part of its commitment to help communities address supply shortages and to bring creative solutions to bear on the challenges facing laboratories and supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic. P&G is licensing its swab to Rhinostics to launch and bring to the clinical laboratory market.
Revolutionary Research Innovations for Medical Industry
Bioresorbable and Customizable 3DP Airway Stent
An ETH Zurich research team has now developed an airway stent which is tailored to patients and bioresorbable, (i.e., it gradually dissolves after implantation). These stents are manufactured using a 3D printing process known as digital light processing (DLP) and light-sensitive resins specially adapted for this purpose.
New Tunable Fluorescent Polymers for Biomedicine
Researchers have developed fluorescent polymers whose color can be easily tuned. Depending on their length, the polymers emit a different color. This research field is driven by the display industry and the development of biomedical imaging techniques.
Super Soft Smart Rubber to Mimic Biological Tissues
A researcher from the University of Virginia School of Engineering has found a way to design a new synthetic soft rubber. The focus is on designing the rubber to be recyclable and to have superior mechanical properties in the context of stiffness. It can be used in applications such as stretchable materials with embedded electronics; soft robots built from pliable, more life-like materials; optical devices; and tissue engineering.
New Superfast 3DP Method to Make Tissues and Organs
The engineers from University at Buffalo demonstrate a 3D printing method to produce human tissue and organs using hydrogels. The recently developed technology is 10-50 times faster than the industry standard, and it works with large sample sizes that have been very difficult to achieve previously.
Recyclable Electronic Material to Monitor Motor Impairment
A DTU research team have developed a new material that among other things has potential for monitoring motor impairment associated with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s. The CareGum property portfolio is incredibly broad with feats such as skin-like softness, it is stretchable up-to 30,000 % and has self-healing capacities reminiscent of that of natural tissues.
Source: SpecialChem