MEDICAL POLYMERS & PROCESSING
- EMERGING TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES
D L Pandya, CEO & Editor
Medical Plastics Data Service
mediSOURCEasia.com
Webinar On Role Of Plastics In The Medical, Healthcare &
Pharma Sectors : Emerging Opportunities
Organised By AIPMA
May 27, 2020
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COVID 19 : Medical Plastic Products
In The Front Line
Plastics constitute an important part of Medical Devices and
the global market is estimated to be close to US $ 18 billion .
• It plays a very crucial role ensuring right technologies
available for healthcare providers and patients.
• Like any other sector, the Plastic industry or the medical
device industry is also looking for emerging trends.
• The origin for some of the trends are from campaign based
ideology - the examples for which in the medical
applications are requirements for bisphenol-A free materials,
Polyvinylchloride free devices etc.
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• History has shown that such public-driven trends generally
follow the cycle of becoming public and disappearing
regularly without major changes.
• Some of the ideas which have been tested after thorough
investigation and have shown potential for implementation
and are driven by higher integration level of technologies
between technocrats, medical professionals and patients.
• Few of such Polymeric Materials and their Processing based
trends are highlighted in this presentation.
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COVID 19 : Medical Plastic Products
In The Front Line
Antimicrobial Plastics
• Antimicrobial plastics help in curtailing infections and
preventing illnesses by resisting the growth of disease-
causing pathogens.
• Typical end use applications are :
Vascular Access Devices: Catheters, Injection
Systems, Needleless Connectors, etc.
Fluid Management Devices : IV Systems & Bags,
Valves, Tubing, etc.
Device/Instrument Housings
Airway Management Devices : Endotracheal &
Tracheotomy Tubes, etc.
Laparoscopic Instruments, Wound Dressings
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Antimicrobial Plastics
Class I, II and III Medical Devices that come in contact with
patients or their caregivers and many other applications
Some of the possible antimicrobial compounds (silver-and
non-silver-based) include :
Butyl Rubber (IIR) , Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
(EPDM), Polyisoprene (IR), Polyurethane (TPU), Silicones
(LSR and HCR)
Transparency Market Research estimates for U.S.
antimicrobial plastics market exhibit a 9.3% CAGR from
2014 to 2020, expected to reach nearly US$1,227 mn by
2020.
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Antimicrobial Coatings On PPEs
• To safeguard healthcare workers from current corona
virus and other infectious diseases, IIT Guwahati
researchers has developed an affordable antimicrobial
(antiviral / antibacterial) spray-based coating for PPE kits
to kill and prevent the spread of microbes once they
come in contact with the coated PPE surface.
• Metal nanoparticle cocktail, such as copper, silver and
other active ingredients, present in the spray acts as an
antimicrobial agent. This ensures limited penetration and
accumulation of microbial contaminants on PPE.
• The Institute Of Pasma Research , Gandhinager ( Gujarat
) is also in process of developing Nano CuO based anti-
microbial face masks . It will produce coated non-woven
fabric roll which can be used to make 3 – ply masks.
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Shape-Memory Polymers
• Another interesting group of plastics are shape-memory
polymers (SMPs). Like shape-memory alloys, these will
“remember” their original shape when deformed, and flip
back to the initial shape when exposed to an external stimulus.
• These stimuli may be an electric field, light, changes in pH
value, or, as most commonly, changes in temperature.
• Some SMPs even can retain three shapes, their initial
(permanent) shape and two deformed morphologies. This effect
offers several interesting options.
• Integration of SMPs in fabric provides many fascinating and
improved properties such as good aesthetic appeal, comfort,
textile soft display, smart controlled drug release, fantasy
design, wound monitoring, smart wetting properties and
protection against extreme variations in environmental
conditions. 7
Shape-Memory Polymers : Applications
• Bracelets that alter the position of teeth over a period of
several months
• coronary stents that strut the artery and prevent an
elastic recoil
• The alteration in shape also may be used for clamping.
Feasible are form - and/or force-fitting fastenings.
Applications for that are devices such as surgical
staplers, remotely controlled switchable implants, or
clamps to fix artificial heart valve.
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Shape-Memory Polymers : Applications
• Other widespread applications : dental wires, orthopaedic
implants, intravenous cannula, self-adjusting orthodontic wires
and selectively pliable tools for small scale surgical
procedures.
• Utilization of SMPs still is in its very beginnings.
• Factors that influence the biocompatibility and toxicity of
SMPs is crucial for safe and sustainable development.
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Thermoplastic Elastomers
• Medical Devices need combination of hard and soft
materials
• Like : Respiratory Masks, Precision Syringes, Tubing,
Catheters, Bags For Infusion Solutions, Implants Such
As Artificial Heart Valves And Joints ect ; requiring a long
time use.
• Plastics preferred because of their high degree of purity
(low level of extractable compounds), their recyclability
and cost effectiveness.
• Also to replace latex which cause allergic reactions in
patients.
• They are easy to sterilize and are flexible.
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Thermoplastic Elastomers
• Technological advancement has made these elastomers
an ideal choice for medical device manufacturing,
leading to an increase in demand for thermoplastic
medical elastomers.
• With the increase in environmental standards, medical
tubing is now being replaced with TPEs . next-generation
series of medical-grade thermoplastic elastomer
compounds for producing seals and gaskets for medical
devices, as well as parts for consumer health wearables.
• As per “Markets & Markets”, Medical Elastomers Market
is projected to reach USD 7.92 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR
of 7.5% with approx. 15 to 20 percent share of medical
grades.
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Emerging Trends In Manufacturing Technologies
• Along with Medical Polymers , the emerging trends in
manufacturing of polymer based medical devices are also
equally important .
• Includes not only new trends in the commonly used
plastics conversion technologies , but also
manufacturing environment / hygienic manufacturing (
Clean Rooms )
• Also procedures like surface treatment / modification ,
3D Printing bonding , antibacterial processing / coatings ,
anticounterfeiting , new sterilization approaches ,
packaging , printing and many more.
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Medical Tube Extrusions :
Different Configurations
Medical Tubes are categorized mainly by following types
according to Different Configurations:
a. According to the structure: Single-Lumen, Double-Lumen,
Multi-Lumen, Two-Row, Multi-Row etc.
b. According to the performance: High-Pressure Tube, UV
Protection Tube, Flame Retardant Tube Antimicrobial
Tube, Gamma Ray Protection Tube.
c. According to the usage: High-Transparent Tube, Tube
With Color Line (One Or Multi-Lines), Radiopaque Tube
(One Of Multi-Lines Or Whole), Micro-Flow Tube,
Intravascular Tube, Balloon Tube, High-Pressure.
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Thank You