| Polymer Tradename |
Description of
Silicone- Modified Polyurethane |
Approx. Silicone Content |
Typical Appearance |
Developer |
Approx. Date |
Biomedical Uses |
| Avcothane-51 and Cardiothane-51 | Solvent-cast hybrid of silicone and polyetherurethane | 10% | Opaque |
Nyilas, Avco Everett Research Lab |
1970 |
Intraaortic balloon |
| Biomer and redissolved Lycra Spandex fiber | Segmented polyetherurethanes: silicone lubricant or impurity | Trace | Cloudy |
DuPont and Ethicon |
1970 |
Artificial heart graft |
| Thoralon polyurethane (with surface-modifying additives | Low-strength copolymer additive: silicone in backbone with polyether co-soft segment | <3% | Transparent |
Ward, Thoratec Laboratories |
1980 |
VAD, vascular graft |
| Rimplast | Semi-interpenetrating network of cross-linked silicone and polyurethane by reactive extrusion | Variable | Opaque |
Arkles, LNP Coporation |
1987 | Tubing |
|
PurSil and CarboSil TSPUs (with surface- modifying end groups) |
Medium- to high-strength copolymers: silicone end groups and midblocks with polyether or poly-carbonate co-soft segments |
Variable: <1 to >60% |
Transparent |
Ward et al., The Polymer Technology Group |
1991 |
Various implants and disposables |
| Elasteon | Medium-strength copolymers with silicone midblocks and polyether co-soft segment | 60% | Transparent |
Meijs et al., CSIRO |
1996 |
Various implants |
| Chronoflex C | High-strength copolymers with silicone midblocks and polycarbonate co-soft segment | Low | Cloudy |
Szycher, Cardiotech |
1997 |
Vascular graft |