Product News

Global custom engineered thermoplastics compounder, RTP Company, has introduced a series of biocompatible styrenic-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds for use in medical devices. RTP 2700 S MD Series materials have been pretested for compliance with ISO 10993-5/10/11 biocompatibility standards and are available in hardnesses ranging from 30 to 80 Shore A. The RTP 2700 S MD Series TPE compounds were developed to provide healthcare designers and engineers with additional TPE material options that facilitate obtaining regulatory approval for medical components and devices. These biocompatible TPE compounds offer a number of advantages to medical device applications including gamma and EtO sterilisability. They can be processed via multi-shot overmoulding, with inherent bondability to polypropylene substrates, to add “soft touch,” ergonomic features for moulded-in stoppers, seals and masks. Flexibility is maintained over their entire 30 to 80 Shore A hardness range and, according to the company, these products are cost competitive when replacing alternative medical grade TPE materials such as thermoplastic vulcanizate or olefinic-based thermoplastic elastomer (TEO).

Naturally translucent, these TPE compounds are fully colourable with the firm’s companion EMD Series colour products, which offer biocompatibility compliance to precoloured resins and colour masterbatches. Applications for RTP 2700 S MD Series TPEs range from drug-delivery systems that require multi-shot overmoulding for ergonomics and cost efficiency, to disposable devices that require needle stick and reseal performance, tear strength or compression set properties. These materials also can benefit other applications such as surgical tools that require slip-resistance when moist and colour identification for accurate tool identification. They also can be used in respiratory care requiring materials that offer a high degree of clarity and low tack for contact with skin.

RTP Company
Winona, MN, USA +1 507 454 6900
www.rtpcompany.com