Types of Devices
Medical devices can be classified into two major categories- disposables and non-disposables. Disposable devices include bandages, gloves, blood bags, colostomy bags, catheters, syringes, IV kits, and tubing.
There is a wide spectrum of requirements that apply to materials used in medical device applications. It is important to understand these requirements and design the right part with the right material that fits the intended use and the processing and assembly of the finished device.
Materials used in the design, production, and assembly of medical devices include metals, ceramics, glass, and plastics. The use of plastics continues to grow especially with the growth in disposable products (Figure 1.3).
Plastics have superior design flexibility compared to metals, ceramics, and glass. They can be processed into different shapes, sizes, thickness, and colors. Their properties can be tailored to meet a wide spectrum of physical, mechanical, chemical, and biocompatibility requirements.‖
Table 1.1 Summary of Plastics in Medical Device Applications
Property Commodity Plastics Engineering Engineering
Thermoplastics
High Temp.
Engineering
Thermoplastics and
other polymers
Thermoplastics
High Temp.
Engineering
Thermoplastics and
other polymers
Percent usage in
medical device
Applications
70% of all plastics 20% of all plastics 10% of all plastics
Types of
Plastics
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Polystyrene
Polyamides
Polyesters
Polycarbonates
Polyimides
Polyether imides
Polysulfones
Polyvinyl chloride Polyurethanes
Acrylics
Acetals
Polyether ether
ketones
Polyphenylene sulfide
Fluoropolymers
Liq. Crystalline
Polymers
Biopolymers
Thermosets and
adhesives
Medical Device
Applications
Tubing
Films
Packaging
Connectors
Labware
I V bags
Catheters
Pacemakers
Drug delivery
components
Membranes
Sutures
Syringes
Surgical instruments
Balloons
Blood set
Components
Blood bowls
Blood oxygenators
Syringes
Catheters
Surgical instruments
Surgical trays
Syringes
Implants
Dental implants
Bone implants
Moving part and
components
Bioresorbable sutures