With the advancement of science and technology, the use of polymers has expanded across various industries. Unique features such as light weight, tunable physical and chemical properties, biocompatibility, and cost-effectiveness have positioned polymers as key materials in the medical device industry (Ratner et al., 2013). In this field, their application is not limited to mass production; rather, polymers are directly linked to therapeutic processes and patient recovery. Therefore, the choice of polymer type and its design play a crucial role in the quality of healthcare services.

Polymers have become indispensable in modern healthcare due to their ability to:

•Reduce treatment-related risks for patients

•Accelerate recovery and alleviate patient discomfort

•Enhance clinical efficiency and user-friendliness

•Enable the design of devices with tailored chemical and mechanical properties

•Provide safer and less hazardous alternatives to traditional materials such as metals or glass (Zhang et al., 2019)

These characteristics have established polymers as the primary raw materials in the design of modern medical devices.

A wide variety of polymers are employed in single-use and reusable medical devices, each with distinct properties (Whelan, 2014; FDA Guidance, 2020):

•PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): The most widely used polymer in medical devices; durable, transparent, and flexible; applied in blood bags, IV bags, and tubing.

•TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): Biocompatible and abrasion-resistant; used in catheters and implantable devices.

•TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers): Combining rubber- and plastic-like properties; ideal for flexible medical components.

•PP (Polypropylene): Lightweight and heat-resistant; applied in syringes and injection devices.

•PE (Polyethylene): Biocompatible and flexible; used in surgical instruments and sterile packaging.

•ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Impact-resistant; used in rigid housings and structural components.

•PC (Polycarbonate): Highly transparent and strong; used in lenses, casings, and sensitive medical devices.

One of the greatest advantages of polymers lies in their customizability. By modifying polymer grades or incorporating additives, it is possible to:

•Improve chemical and mechanical resistance

•Enhance sterilizability

•Increase transparency or flexibility

•Reduce allergic reactions and boost biocompatibility (ISO 10993, 2018)

In many cases, simply altering the grade of a polymer, without changing the physical design of the product, can significantly enhance the performance and safety of a medical device.

The expansion of polymer science has had a direct impact on innovation in medical technology:

•New devices with superior functionalities are designed.

•Patient care becomes safer and more efficient.

•Manufacturing costs are reduced compared to traditional materials.

•The medical device industry continues to benefit from advancements in polymer technology (Zhang et al., 2019).

Polymers represent the backbone of the modern medical device industry. Their flexibility in design, tunable physical and chemical properties, and compatibility with the human body make them ideal for producing both single-use and reusable medical devices. Considering ongoing research into novel grades and advanced additives, the future of medical devices will become increasingly dependent on polymer science (Ratner et al., 2013).