Plastics In The Medical Field

Prior to the development of plastic technology

, much of medicine was limited to tools that had been in existence for previous decades, and perhaps centuries. With the growth of polymer science and plastic injection molding, the medical field has expanded exponentially. Doctors and surgeons have access to more tools, and patients have more options when it comes to individual treatment.

Because of its durability and a person's ability to manipulate the chemical make-up and shape, plastic has effectively revolutionized modern medicine.

Why Plastic?:

Plastics are ideal for use in hospitals and doctors' offices. Materials are durable and easily sterilized without sustaining damages. Some plastics can resist heat as high as 480 degrees Fahrenheit, and most will not degrade when exposed to water or steam. Plastics used in hospitals typically can withstand the stresses of chemical and mechanical washing.

Plastics are lightweight, allowing doctors and patients to work with them more easily. In addition, plastics can be manipulated so that they are transparent, allowing surgeons to safely operate with maximum visibility.

Most importantly, injection molding allows plastics to take nearly any shape.

Applications:

The applications of plastic in the medical field seem endless.

At home, patients regularly use plastic technology, from plastic thermometers to various home tests. In fact, part of the chemical reactions associated with at-home pregnancy tests and diabetes tests are due to the chemically treated plastics used to make them.

In more advanced applications, plastics can be manipulated to replace body parts, such as shoulder, finger, hip, knee and ankle joints, and even artificial eyeballs. Because of the flexible nature of polymers, plastics can mimic the regular strength, stiffness and thickness while appearing lifelike.

Even damaged faces can be restructured using silicone-based facial prostheses.

Devices and Equipment:

Polymers are common in medical devices because they can be smaller and lightweight, meaning they cost less and are often portable. Here are a few examples of products that rely on plastic technology in the medical field.

Basic medical equipment contains much plastic. Stethoscopes, Petri dishes, bottles and beakers are just a few examples of everyday plastic devices used my medical professionals. Polyethylene can be made into waterproof sheets for use in examination gloves and tubing. Surgical knives are made sharper and more accurate by using carbon chemistry and plastic, synthetic diamonds.

With changes and advancements being forged in the medical plastic industry, staying on the cutting edge has an entirely new meaning.

Future medical advancements likely will be made possible because of plastic.

by: Steve Erickson

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