High-use polymers in the medical industry: Due to the sensitivity and special conditions of the medical topic, special polymers can be used in this field. Therefore, in this article, we will refer to the more important and widely used numbers that play a more prominent role in the construction of medical tools and devices.
Silicones: Silicones are of interest in medical science due to their high resistance and stability against heat. Their resistance is remarkable even against ozone and hot oils and they have a long lifespan. They are also good dielectrics. Gastric wound adhesive, artificial heart, finger joints, gastric endoscopic tube, valences are made of silicone.
Polyurethanes: Polyurethanes have more anticoagulation ability than other polymers and are blood compatible. For this reason, they are one of the best choices for making medical instruments. They can also be sterilized with radiation and oxyethylene gas. They have high fat resistance and good clarity. It is used in cases such as internal injection tube, artificial heart ventricles, surgical dressing, knitted adhesive, etc. And they are the first option for making tools to solve heart problems.
Polycarbonates: These polymers are the preferred substitute for glass. They are flexible and light in weight and resistant to shocks. Its transparency and resistance to heat and high temperature have drawn attention to it in useful packaging industries. The high strength and hardness of polycarbonate has made it equal to metals. and be a good substitute for metals in the medical industry.
Polystyrene: generally hard, transparent, brittle and has a low melting temperature. Uses: blood storage tube, serum storage container, test tube, etc
Polyolefins: very affordable, flexible, impermeable to water, resistant to grease, chemicals and electrical insulation. They have good tensile and compressive strength. Used for: hip joints, medicine bottles, blood bags, packaging, films, etc.
Polyvinyl chloride: It has properties similar to polyolefin. But among polymers, the share is less than 10%, and they are used for medical purposes, food packaging, and non-edible uses. They are used in cases such as blood bags, artificial hearts, and making artificial organs.
Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer: this polymer is hard and resistant to chemicals and radiation. It is used as a blood vessel blocking syringe and surgical forceps, etc.
Polysulfones: are clear and transparent materials that are resistant to high heat and environmental stresses. And they are not hydrolyzable. But one of its disadvantages is its high price compared to other polymers. Uses: surgical instruments, filter membrane, dialysis membrane, etc.
Polyester is a type of hard and strong polymer that is used in the manufacture of milk and some components of asthma pumps.
Acrylics: One of the important features of this polymer in the medical industry is its cheap price. Uses: intraocular grafts, dental polymers, making connecting tubes, etc.
Cellulosic polymers: Its applications can be mentioned in the construction of dialysis membrane, smooth intravascular channels and hemoperfusion. Due to transparency and clarity, the surface polish is also important in these parts.
Polyamides: used in making sutures and catheters. They have characteristics such as resistance to torque, twisting and are sensitive to pressure. Also, they are crystalline materials with high strength and are strong moisture absorbers.
Polymethyl methacrylate: high clarity and transparency, hard strength, good mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, etc. Uses: artificial teeth, artificial cornea, synthetic paste, contact lens, etc.
Polytetrafluoroethylene: resistant to erosion and high temperatures, it also has a low friction coefficient, and this polymerase has high electrical properties and wear resistance. Uses: vein grafting, orthopedic screws and plates, surface coatings, etc.