Seattle, WA (USA)-- May 16, 2004-- New compounds increasingly have the medical market in mind when it comes to design engineering.

While many medical products are still produced in off-the-shelf plastics, new thermoplastic technologies target medical applications specifically. Combined with a variety of specialty modifiers, they address the issues of biocompatibility, chemical resistance, sterilization compatibility, and processability. They can also reduce the hazards associated with electrostatic buildup, add lubricity, improve ergonomics, provide gripping surfaces, absorb X- rays, and boost stiffness/flexibility/tearability.

But where medical products are concerned, the whole field of additives comes under scrutiny. Thermoplastic formulas often start with ingredients that are considered safe for food contact as detailed in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR) promulgated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But where bodily contact is involved, the health-care industry tends to use materials that comply with either USP Class VI or ISO 10993-1 test criteria assuming this reduces the biological and legal risks.

Advances in technology have established some important medical uses.

Electrically conductive modifiers added to thermoplastics permanently protect against static accumulation and electrostatic discharge (ESD). Conductive thermoplastics continuously dissipate static rather than let it accumulate and discharge rapidly. ESD can damage sensitive electronic components and initiate explosions in flammable environments. Accumulated static charges can also halt mechanical processes by clogging the flow of materials. Conductive thermoplastics come in a wide variety of colors and, in some cases, retain transoarency.

A highly conductive resin, dubbed Electriplast, from Integral Technologies Inc., could also improve the efficiency of LED lighting, in-floor radiant heating, defibrillators and pacemakers.

New pharmaceutical delivery systems, such as inhalation devices, currently incorporate conductive thermoplastics to facilitate accurate drug dosages for powders/mists. Conductive compounds stabilize the static effect so each use of the device has a stable environment in which to operate. Without conductive plastics, dosages would be inaccurate from either too little medicine (microparticles attracted to the walls) or too much medicine (medication builds up over time and suddenly releases).

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