A TECHNO-ECONOMIC NEWS MAGAZINE FOR MEDICAL PLASTICS AND PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Our 22nd Year of Publication
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Cover Story

PVC The Most Widely Used Polymer In Medical Applications

PVC Properties

 

PVC has made it possible for healthcare professionals and patients to access a wide range of healthcare applications with optimal technical performance, safety, and comfort in use and cost efficiency levels.

 

Safety

 

Over the years, the use of PVC in healthcare applications has been proven to be safe through pre-and post-marketing evaluation and surveillance systems. PVC has made it possible for patients and healthcare professionals to access a wide range of medical applications with optimal technical performance, safety and excellent comfort in use. PVC is commonly used in a wide range of medical applications for screening, diagnosis, treatment and care, as well as in the creation of safe healthcare environments.

 

Sterilis Ability

 

PVC has been crucial in reducing and preventing healthcare acquired infections. The absence of sources of infection is a fundamental requirement in medical product applications. PVC medical applications can be easily sterilised using such methods as steam, radiation or ethylene oxide, while keeping their key properties, such as flexibility and resistance to tears, scratches and kinks.

Chemical Stability

Materials used in medical applications must be capable of accepting or conveying a variety of liquids without themselves undergoing any significant changes in composition or properties.

Biocompatibility

Whenever plastics are used in direct contact with the patient’s tissue or blood, a high degree of compatibility is essential between the tissue/blood and the material. PVC is characterised by high biocompatibility, and this can be increased further by appropriate surface modification.

Clarity And Transparency

Because of its physical properties, products made from PVC can be formulated with excellent transparency to allow for continual monitoring of fluid flow. If colour-coded application is needed, virtually any colour can be created.

Flexibility, Durability And Dependability

Not only does PVC offer the flexibility necessary for applications such as blood bags or intravenous (IV) tubing, but it can also be relied upon for its strength and durability, even under changing temperatures and conditions. These properties are essential to provide convenience in use by healthcare professionals and performance thereby benefiting patient comfort and quality hospital care.

Compatibility

PVC is compatible with virtually all pharmaceutical products in healthcare facilities today. It also has excellent water and chemical resistance, helping to keep solutions sterile.

Resistance To Chemical Stress cracking

PVC’s resilience helps ensure that medical products function consistently, for extended use, in demanding applications. Ease of processing means that PVC can easily be extruded to make IV tubing, thermoformed to make “blister” packaging, or blow moulded to make hollow rigid containers. This versatility is a major reason why PVC is the material of choice for medical product and packaging designers.

Low Cost

Since the 1960’s, the use of PVC in healthcare applications and in medical devices has played its part in allowing the broader population access to safe, high-quality, affordable healthcare, as well as supporting governments in their efforts to ensure the smart use of resources and innovative, quality and financially sustainable healthcare systems.

PVC has very low manufacturing costs and provides excellent durability and long-lasting performance with low maintenance costs.

Recyclability

PVC is an extremely resource efficient material through its entire life-cycle. It provides excellent durability and long-lasting performance with low maintenance costs. PVC waste is highly recyclable and can be recovered as a valued raw material to make other secondary products.

(Ref: http://www.pvcmed.org/learningcentre/pvc-medical-applications/)

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