Smart Molding International 2-2021

materials 47 www.smart-molding.com W ith accuracy and precision, medical devices, whether used in a home or in a healthcare setting, are expected to provide effective outcomes for a pa - tient. The design of the instruments must, thus, be ergonomically driven to enable dexterity, control and comfort when handling the instruments. A soft-touch surface promotes ease of use, and better control and grip, especially in hand-held or single-use medical devices. For self-administer - ing in the home, a soft-touch surface can ensure proper and easy handling of medical devices for effective drug delivery and error-free performance. Today, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are widely used for a soft-touch surface and feel. Moreover, the varied mechanical properties of TPEs in medi - cal device applications, such as ease of coloration, flexibility and purity, con - tribute to the aesthetic appearance and high usability of the products. For manufacturers, TPEs are the per - fect choice of materials, owing to their easy processing, for example, via injec - tion molding or extrusion process. KRAIBURG TPE, a global TPE manu - facturer of a wide range of thermo - plastic elastomer products and custom solutions for multiple industries, offers high quality and custom-engineered THERMOLAST® M compounds that conform to the soft-touch require - ments of medical device applications. Taking a safe approach For soft-touch surfaces in medical device applications, KRAIBURG TPE offers the THERMOLAST® M MC/AD/ PA series of compounds that are ster - ilizable by using methods such as EtO gas, γ-gamma ray treatment (2 x 35 kGy) and β-ray (electron beam) treat - ment (2 x 35 kGy). The THERMOLAST® M series is also free of latex, PVC and phthalates, allowing it to be used for medical devices. The THERMOLAST® M has been specially formulated for applications requiring medical approvals and con - forms to standards such as ISO 10993-5 (Cytotoxicity) and ISO 10993-10 (Intra - cutaneous irritation). The MC/AD/PA compounds have ex - cellent adhesion to various polyamides such as PA6 and PA12, allowing for use in applications requiring soft-touch grips, sealing, flexible connectors, switches, and mats in the medical de - vices industry. The compounds can also be applied in handles, buttons and clo - sures that require soft-touch surfaces for medical devices. The compounds can be colored in various options using Pantone and RAL as a color reference, allowing for dif - ferentiation of end products. Approved to exacting standards KRAIBURG TPE’s THERMOLAST® M MC/tl series is certified to standards such as ISO 10993-10 (Intracutaneous irritation), ISO 10993-5 (Cytotoxicity), ISO 10993-4 (Hemolysis), ISO 10993- 11 (Acute systemic toxicity) and VDI 2017. It comes in natural colors and can be colored in many ways. It has excellent adhesion to PP and PE, allowing it to be applied on mouthpieces and as a soft- touch element on medical devices. The MC/tl series has optimized com - pression set and has excellent abrasion resistance, for applications that require high contact and friction such as han - dles and grips on medical devices and sealings on respiratory masks. KRAIBURG TPE www.kraiburg-tpe.com KRAIBURG TPE, a recognized global leader in superior TPE compounds, provides the THERMOLAST® M TPE compounds for a soft-touch feel and surface in medical device applications. Medical devices with TPE’s soft-touch advantage