How are Plastics Used in the Medical Field?
Plastics are used in the medical field for a wide range of applications, from prosthetic limbs and joint replacements to critical medical devices. For instance, UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) has become the standard in hip and joint replacements since the late 90’s due to its great wear resistance, excellent strength, and very low co-efficient of friction. These plastics also make prosthetic limbs lighter and stronger for athletes. Beyond these, plastics like Acetal Copolymer replace metal in gears and screws, PTFE is used for non-stick coatings and chemical-resistant parts, and Polycarbonate (Lexan®) replaces glass due to its shatter resistance. Even everyday items like coffee cups use foamed Styrene. Plastics have shaped our lives in countless ways, assisting people with debilitating injuries and serious afflictions, helping them feel more comfortable and move easier, and enabling amputees and athletes to regain quality of life.
Plastics play a big part in the world of medicine. Some other advancements in the area of medicine include assisting people with debilitating injuries and serious afflictions, helping them feel more comfortable and move easier. Prosthetic limbs and joint replacements have come along way since the old days of metal and wood. Since the late 90’s UHMW or (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) has become the standard in hip and joint replacements. With plastics like UHMW, which has great wear resistance, excellent strength and very low co-efficient of friction (very slippery), it has made people who need these surgeries have better mobility and better quality of life. These plastics also make prosthetic limbs lighter and stronger for athletes who wish to compete and lead near normal active lifestyles due to the use of plastic polymers (derived from the Greek meaning ‘many parts’) mimicking human flexibility. Prosthetic devices date all the way back to the ancient Egyptians where they used leather and wood for toe and foot replacements. But thanks to today’s technologies and advancements in as plastic, most amputees and athletes can regain their quality of life and enabling them to do what they love.
What has Medical Plastic Done For You Lately?
Another plastic material that has changed the medical field is PEEK (Polyetheretherketone). This material is a newer plastic which has high chemical resistance along with excellent high continuous temperature resistance of up to 480 degrees fahrenheit. PEEK has replaced many metal devices in the medical field, because PEEK is one of the only thermoplastics (plastic which can be bent or shaped) able to withstand high doses of radiation over an extended lifetime. In addition PEEK is used to help many people awaiting kidney transplants because it is used to make a critical component in dialysis machines. These machines need to clean the blood over a period of several hours and because of this, PEEK is the natural solution, as it can be steam cleaned time and time again with little effect on the material. Along with its great chemical, temperature, and fluid handling stability, PEEK is USP Class VI, making it ideal for these types of medical applications. The natural color of PEEK is a beige to tan and is available in sheet and rod. One of the largest manufacturers of PEEK resin is Victrex and their 450G resin.
How Do Plastics Impact Medicine in Everyday Life?
Plastics impact medicine in everyday life by changing how we care for the sick and injured, protecting foods from germs, prolonging food storage, and ensuring medical instruments are sterile. These materials have made people’s lives better in both the short and long term, helping to reduce pain, gain better movement, and restore confidence. The values of plastic cannot be understated, and in the future, plastics will continue to save or prolong many more lives through technological advancements and limitless possibilities. For more information on these and other medical grade plastics like Clear Nylon, Ultem, Polysulfone, Radel, contact us via email or call 866-832-9315.
For more information on these and other medical grade plastics like: Clear Nylon (look for blog post on this), Ultem, Polysulfone, Radel and more, contact us. E-mail us or call 866-832-9315
