Application and safety of polypropylene in medical instruments

PP is colorless, odorless and non-toxic. Looks like polyethylene, but is more transparent and lighter than polyethylene. PP is a thermoplastic with excellent properties, with small specific gravity (0.9g/cm3), non-toxic, easy to process, impact resistance, anti-deflection and other advantages.

High temperature disinfection resistance: PP plastic is a semi-crystalline material, high melting point, good heat resistance, can be sterilized at temperatures above 100 ° C. Yield strength, tensile strength, compressive strength, hardness and elasticity are higher than polyethylene (PE).

Low temperature resistance, impact resistance: the brittleness of homopolymer PP is larger, and the random copolymer PP synthesized with ethylene has better toughness and stronger impact resistance. For products usually used at low temperatures, copolymerization PP should be used as far as possible, or thermoplastic rubber should be added to modify PP to increase its flexibility and low temperature impact resistance.

The application of polypropylene in medical devices:

1. Disposable medical supplies

Polypropylene is often used in the production of disposable medical devices, such as syringes, infusion bags, surgical instruments, etc. These devices often need to be discarded immediately after use to reduce the risk of infection, and polypropylene's low cost and ease of processing make it ideal.

2. Surgical sutures and implants\Polypropylene is also widely used in surgical sutures and biological implants. Its superior biocompatibility allows the polypropylene sutures to safely bind to human tissue, reducing rejection. In addition, polypropylene implants provide good support and are suitable for a variety of surgical procedures.

3. Components of medical equipment
In many medical devices, such as ventilators and monitors, polypropylene is used to make internal components. These components usually require high temperature resistance, chemical resistance and good mechanical strength, and polypropylene's properties just meet these requirements.

4. Packaging materials
Polypropylene is also widely used in the packaging of pharmaceutical products, such as medicine bottles and packaging bags. This material can effectively isolate air and moisture, protecting the stability and effectiveness of the drug.

The safety of polypropylene:

1. Biocompatibility
Polypropylene is considered to be a biocompatible material, conforming to the international standard ISO 10993. In practical applications, its stimulation to human tissue is low, suitable for long-term contact with the human body of medical devices.

2. Chemical stability

Polypropylene has good chemical stability and is able to resist the erosion of a variety of chemicals, which is critical for many medical environments. Its performance in high temperature and high humidity environment remains good, which helps to ensure the safety of the instrument.

3. Sterilization adaptability

Polypropylene is able to withstand a variety of sterilization methods, such as high-temperature steam sterilization and ethylene oxide sterilization, which makes it suitable for medical devices that require rigorous sterilization. However, different polypropylene formulations may have different tolerances to the sterilization process and therefore require specific evaluation.

4. Effects of long-term exposure

In medical devices using polypropylene, the potential effects of long-term exposure need to be studied in depth. Although existing studies show the safety of polypropylene, regular monitoring and evaluation of biocompatibility issues that may arise after use are needed.

Conclusion

With its superior performance and economy, polypropylene has become an important material in the medical device industry. Although it has a good foundation in terms of safety, further research and evaluation are still necessary as medical technology advances and safety requirements increase. In the future, the application prospect of polypropylene in the medical field will continue to expand, promoting the innovation and development of medical devices.

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