|
Medical Polymers : Emerging
Trends & Opportunities
Shape-Memory Polymers
Another interesting group of plastics are shape-memory
polymers (SMPs). Just like the better-known shape-memory
alloys, these will “remember” their original shape when
deformed, and flip back to the initial shape when exposed
to an external stimulus. These stimuli may be an electric
field, light, changes in pH value, or, as most commonly,
changes in temperature. Some SMPs even can retain three
shapes, their initial (permanent) shape and two deformed
morphologies. This effect offers several interesting
options.
 A commonly known application is bracelets
that alter the position of teeth over a period of several
months, or coronary stents that strut the artery and
prevent an elastic recoil. The alteration in shape also
may be used for clamping. Feasible are form - and/or force
fitting fastenings. Applications for that are devices such
as surgical staplers, remotely controlled switchable
implants, or clamps to fix artificial heart valve.
More over, while shape-memory alloys
already find widespread applications in medical devices,
such as dental wires, cardiovascular stents, or
orthopaedic implants, the utilization of SMPs still is in
its very beginnings.
SMPs have potential applications as
intravenous cannula, self-adjusting orthodontic wires and
selectively pliable tools for small scale surgical
procedures where currently metal-based shape memory alloys
such as Nitinol are widely used. Another application of
SMP in the medical field could be its use in implants,
e.g. minimally invasive (trough small incisions or natural
orifices) implantation of a device in its small temporary
shape which after activating the shape memory by e.g.
temperature increase assumes its permanent (and mostly
bulkier) shape.
The integration of SMPs in fabric provides many
fascinating and improved properties such as good aesthetic
appeal, comfort, textile soft display, smart controlled
drug release, fantasy design, wound monitoring, smart
wetting properties and protection against extreme
variations in environmental conditions.
Different SMPs such as shape memory polyurethane (SMPU),
polyester, poly-hydroxyproline, polysilamine, etc., and
some responsive hydrogels including poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)
(PNIPAAm) hydrogels, polythiophene gel, etc., are used to
fabricate such smart textile.
Indeed, a detailed assessment of the factors that
influence the biocompatibility and toxicity of SMPs is
crucial for the safe and sustainable development of those
that are emerging.
Antimicrobial Plastics
Antimicrobial plastics are polymers that impede the growth
of microorganisms owing to the presence of active
antimicrobial agents on the polymer. Antimicrobial
plastics inhibit the growth of microorganisms in a variety
of products that they enclose or contain, thus playing a
big role in extending the quality and shelf
life of the products. Moreover, antimicrobial
plastics help in curtailing infections and preventing
illnesses by resisting the growth of disease-causing
pathogens.
Owing to their multifarious applications, antimicrobial
plastics have witnessed a significant rise in demand in
the past few years, especially in industries such as
healthcare, packaging, and personal care. The trend is
likely to remain strong in the near future as well, with
their rising set of applications in the fields of
biomedical devices and implants expected lead to a
massive rise in growth opportunities for antimicrobial
plastics.
Typical end use applications are :
-
Vascular Access Devices : Catheters, Injection Systems,
Needleless Connectors, etc.
-
Fluid Management Devices : IV Systems & Bags, Valves,
Tubing, etc.
-
Device/Instrument Housings
-
Airway Management Devices : Endotracheal & Tracheotomy
Tubes, etc.
-
Laparoscopic Instruments
-
Wound Dressings
-
Class I, II and III Medical Devices that come in contact
with patients or their caregivers
And many other applications Some of the possible
antimicrobial compounds (silver-and non-silver
based) include :
Transparency Market Research estimates that the U.S.
antimicrobial plastics market will exhibit a 9.3% CAGR
from 2014 to 2020, rising from a valuation of US$662.3 mn
in 2013 to a revenue opportunity of nearly US$1,227 mn by
2020.
Emerging Trends In Manufacturing Technologies
While the above discussion is focused on trends and
applications for Medical Polymers, the emerging trends in
manufacturing of polymer based medical devices are also
equally important to look into. It can include not only
new trends in the commonly used plastics conversion
technologies but also manufacturing environment / hygienic
manufacturing as well as procedures like surface treatment
/ modification, 3D Printing bonding, antibacterial
processing / coatings, anticounterfeiting, new
sterilization approaches, packaging, printing and many
more.
will take another opportunity in future to elaborate more
on emerging trends and opportunities in manufacturing
technologies in future.
Mr D L Pandya
Editor & CEO,
MEDICAL PLASTICS DATA SERVICE and
www.medisourceasia.com |
