Medical Device Link.

WHAT'S NEW

A plasticizer-free thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that is stretchable and soft has been introduced by New England Urethane Inc. (North Haven, CT, USA). The material’s 800% vertical elongation, hardness rating, and tensile strength make the TPU a suitable candidate for the extrusion of thin-walled tubing used in knee surgery, for example.

The stretch characteristics of the Neuthane soft-grade N8511 H-series TPU alloy compounded by New England Urethane Inc. enable instruments of various sizes to be inserted within the moulded tubing. Depending on the formulation, this soft TPU exhibits hardness somewhere between 65 and 75 Shore A. Its compounded materials crystallize quickly in production, thus providing moulding characteristics similar to those of plasticized TPUs but without the phthalates that can create problems owing to their fugitive nature and tendency to attack ABS and polycarbonate in overmoulding applications. This material is not sticky or tacky and features good clarity. It can be supplied in small quantities.