In a very short period of time, plastics have become one of the most common materials in a range of different medical products. This includes the obvious use of plastics in syringes and in tubing and bags used for transfusions and IV systems.
What is not always known is the use of plastics in medical devices. This includes external devices worn on the body, as well as implanted devices within the body. Each of these types of devices, from medical equipment to actual life-saving components, has to go through a rigorous medical product design process.
Design Considerations
All types of medical product design processes are developed in stages. Different teams, groups, or even contract manufacturers may be involved in the various steps or stages, and each has to be aware of any standards and regulations with regards to the materials used, the design features and the safety of the product or device.
This is particularly important for any type of medical product that is used with patients. In these types of applications, the design has to include approved types of materials, including specific options in plastics, that are safe, effective and pose no risk to the individual patient.
The Benefits Of Plastic
One of the most beneficial aspects of the use of plastics in medical product design is the resistance to corrosion plastic offers over metals. The environment in the body is exceptionally harsh, and it can result in corrosion and erosion of metals, resulting in failure of the part as well as risk to the patient.
Using plastic eliminates this risk. At the same time, different types of plastics and resins offer a high strength to weight ratio, which means they are extremely strong but also weight much less than metal, making it a better option for the patient.
