Arkema's hydrophilic TPE suits medical applications
ERJ staff report (BC)
Colombes, France – Arkema has launched a hydrophilic grade of its Pebax polyether block amide copolymer for minimally invasive medical applications.
Pebax MV1074 SA 01 MED polymer is cited as suitable for devices exposed to bodily fluids for less than 30 days, such as surgical tubing.
Most polymers used in minimally invasive surgical devices are hydrophobic and create friction against moist body tissue, notes Arkema. While hydrophilic coatings may be added to reduce friction and avoid tissue trauma, they add manufacturing steps and may provide more lubricity than necessary.
According to the company, the new polymer absorbs up to 48% of moisture from the surrounding environment and forms hydrogen bonds that create a wet film on the component surface that enhance lubricity against body tissue.
Arkema will highlight Pebax MV1074 SA 01 MED polymer at the MedTech Europe exhibition, Stuttgart, Germany, 26-28 February 2013.
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