Medical equipment and medical/biological research fields are evolving every day. In particular, new treatment methods such as minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery, and remote surgery, which are less stressful on the body, are being offered in the medical field. These methods are possible thanks to the advances being made in technology, as research into new materials and component development is being carried out for use in cutting-edge medical equipment.
In this article, we will explain the characteristics of fluoroplastic which is used in medical devices and research and development, as well as the features of our products that may contribute to cutting-edge technologies of the future.
table of contents
●What is fluoroplastic (PTFE)?
●What are the properties of fluoroplastic that make it so useful?
・Heat resistance
・Purity
・ Chemical resistance
・ Cleanliness (biocompatibility)
・ Lowest friction
・ Non-stick characteristics
・ Water repellent performance
●Thin fluoroplastic tubes and their applications
・ About thin-walled fluoroplastic tubes
・ Examples of applications in the medical field (catheters, surgical instruments)
・ About processing examples
●Fluoroplastic porous products (C-Porous™) and examples of their applications
・ fluoroplastic porous film
・ fluoroplastic tube
・Examples of applications in research (filters, scaffolding for cell culture)
・About processing examples
・Summary
What is fluoroplastic (PTFE)?
Fluoroplastic is a general term for plastic materials that contain fluorine atoms. They are also commonly known as Teflon™, and there are nine varieties, including PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane). They are plastics that simultaneously have excellent properties such as heat resistance, lowest friction, non-stick characteristics, chemical resistance, low friction, and Insulation. It is rare for a single plastic resin to have so many properties, so fluoroplastic are said to be the "last resort resin."
What are the properties of fluoroplastic that make it so useful?
Fluoroplastic have become indispensable in various modern industries. fluoroplastic properties, such as heat resistance, purity, chemical resistance, biocompatibility, lowest friction, non-stick characteristics, and water repellent performance, make them useful in a wide range of industries, including medicine, chemistry, food, electronics, and construction, and are highly valued around the world as a reliable material. Below, we will explain in detail the properties of fluoroplastic that make them so useful.
Heat resistance
Fluoroplastic have top-class heat resistance among plastics. PTFE, one of fluoroplastic has a high melting point of 327°C, and can withstand autoclaves and high-temperature sterilization. It is also resistant to deterioration even at high temperatures, allowing for long-term use.
It also has top-class Low temperature resistance and can be used down to approximately -180°C, making it suitable for handling medicines and blood that require low-temperature storage.
Purity
Fluoroplastic are able to maintain the purity of chemicals without causing the elution of impurities into chemical solutions. They are inactive to chemicals, and are able to minimize the elution of fluorine ions and metallic and organic foreign matter. Using fluoroplastic products helps maintain the quality of medicines and reagents.
Chemical resistance
Fluoroplastic has a stable molecular structure and is not affected by most chemicals or solvents. It is also resistant to deterioration even when exposed to strong acids or strong alkalis, so it can be used safely even in environments where frequent disinfection and cleaning are required.
Cleanliness (biocompatibility)
It causes little or no foreign body reaction or rejection when used in the body. fluoroplastic Because its components do not easily change when in contact with blood or body fluids, it is highly reliable and is generally used as a component material for medical devices.
Lowest friction
With the smallest coefficient of dynamic friction of any individual fluoroplastic. Because it is extremely slippery and has a smooth surface, the "slipperiness" of fluoroplastic supports delicate procedures through medical devices, such as surgery and catheterization, which require precise manipulation.
Non-stick characteristics
Fluoroplastic have the property of not sticking to any substance. Blood, body fluids, cell tissue, etc. are unlikely to adhere to the surface, which helps maintain hygiene. Even if a substance does adhere to the surface, it can be easily removed.
Water repellent performance
Fluoroplastic highly resistant to a variety of liquids, including water and oil. They have low surface energy (surface tension) and a large difference in surface tension between them and water and oil, so they do not get wet easily and repel most liquids. They are also stain-resistant, making them easy to clean.
Thin fluoroplastic tubes and their applications
About thin-walled fluoroplastic tubes
Fluoroplastic walled fluororesin tubes are made by molding fluoroplastic (PTFE) into a thin-walled tube. They have excellent liquid drainage, Lowest friction, chemical resistance, and biocompatibility, and are used as inner layer materials for medical devices.
In medical settings, devices and equipment must be durable, safe, and hygienic, and thin-walled fluoroplastic tubes meet these requirements and are suitable for many medical applications.
We can also provide various processing options, such as multi-lumen and adhesive processing.
◎ Click here for PTFE thin-walled tube products
Examples of applications in the medical field (catheters, surgical instruments)
◎Catheter inner layer material
◎ Endoscope forceps port, treatment tools
・About processing examples
We carry out various processes such as blade processing, taper processing, and adhesive processing.
◎Blade processing
◎Tapering
fluoroplastic porous products and their applications
About fluoroplastic porous film
Fuoroplastic porous film is a product made by making fluoroplastic (PTFE) porous and forming it into a film. It has flexibility, air permeability, and water repellent performance while retaining the characteristics of fluoroplastic such as heat resistance, chemical resistance, weather Weatherability, and biocompatibility, making it highly useful in medical institutions where infection prevention and hygiene maintenance are important.
◎ PTFE porous film products are available here
About fluoroplastic porous tubes
Fuoroplastic porous tubes are products made by forming fluoroplastic (PTFE) into a tube shape. The micropores give them air permeability and moisture permeability, while also providing waterproof and water repellent properties. Porous tubes are flexible and easy to bend, so they are also used as cable protection materials.
Examples of applications in research (filters, scaffolding for cell culture)
Vents and filters
◎Scaffolding for cell culture
Processing examples
It is possible to perform fine punching processing with a diameter of about 1 mm, and to combine nonwoven fabric, mesh glass cloth, etc. depending on the application.
Punching process
Porous film composite products
・Nonwoven fabric x porous film
・Glass cloth x porous film
Summary
We introduced our fluoroplastic products for medical equipment applications.
fluoroplastic are a resin that is both pure and chemical resistance, making them an essential material in the development of medical devices.
Our company has the technological expertise to manufacture fluoroplastic products for over 60 years.
We have a lineup of products that can solve your problems. If you would like to try them out first, or if you would like us to manufacture a product that solves your problems, please feel free to contact us.
