TPU films are widely used in the biomedical field because of their good biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Its uses in the medical field have become diverse. Its main products include artificial heart assist devices, artificial blood vessels, artificial skin, etc. Medical TPU is widely used in the medical field due to its flexibility, wear resistance, high compatibility, no deformation, no allergic reaction, good blood compatibility, and does not affect blood components.

With the progress and development of society, polymer materials represented by PVC and TPU have become the most commonly used biomedical materials. At the same time, the application of polymer materials in in vitro diagnostic equipment is becoming more and more important.

1. Artificial heart assist device

Because of its critical role, the artificial heart assist device has very strict requirements on its performance and materials. It does not damage blood cell components, does not produce toxins and allergic reactions, does not cause harmful immune reactions, does not release electrolytes, and does not cause damage. Neighboring organizations. Clinical experiments tell us that TPU has many performance advantages over natural rubber and silicone, such as blood compatibility and durability.

2. Medical catheters

Because of its mechanical stability, biocompatibility and elasticity, TPU is often used to prepare medical catheter equipment, such as infusion tubes, artificial catheters, etc. The gastroscope hose, an important component of optical fiber gastroscopy, has high performance requirements. It has sufficient elasticity and flexibility without toxic side effects. The diameter of the catheter is consistent and there is no bending or deformation. The surface of the catheter needs to be smooth. The gastroscope tube made of TPU meets the above requirements and medical requirements.

TPU tracheal intubation is light and flexible, easy for clinical use, allows patients to move freely and comfortably, can prevent radiation damage to the human body, is beneficial to treatment and diagnosis, can replace metal tracheal intubation, and is one of the most advanced medical devices in the world.

3. Medical film

Traditional PE and PVC films have the advantages of being waterproof and preventing liquid seepage. They are very popular in medical protection such as wound dressings and surgeries, but they have the disadvantage of not being able to discharge sweat produced by human metabolism in a timely manner, resulting in discomfort such as heat, cold, and wetness. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of medical film to replace such products.

A pressure-sensitive adhesive is sprayed on the surface of the polyurethane elastomer film to produce a polyurethane elastomer medical film. Compared with traditional PE and PVC medical films, TPU body medical films have the characteristics of softness, good skin affinity, high elasticity, strong moisture permeability, and 100% waterproof, which can effectively prevent the film from falling off during surgery. Inhibit the transfer of various germs during surgery. Such as orthopedic surgery, heart valve replacement, intravenous indwelling needles, abdominal and chest intubation, spinal fluid shunt surgery, etc., can significantly reduce the infection rate.

There is also a waterproof and antibacterial medical polyurethane elastomer. The medical protective gloves made of it have good mechanical properties, waterproofness and breathability, and can resist the invasion of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

4. Medical artificial leather

Artificial leather can be made of TPU foam, which has excellent breathability and can also accelerate the growth of the epidermis, avoid the loss of moisture and inorganic salts in the damaged area, and avoid bacterial infections. Natural latex is often used to make medical gloves, but for some users, they may have an allergic reaction to the latex. However, polyurethane elastomer can be made into medical gloves by adjusting the molecular structure. Therefore, polyurethane elastomer, as a new raw material for medical gloves, can replace the original medical gloves made of natural latex.

Compared with MDI-based TPU, gloves made of polyurethane elastomer have many advantages. For example, they are not prone to aging. Traditional latex gloves are prone to discoloration after a period of use, are less likely to cause allergic reactions, and are closer to the skin.

5. Other fields

At present, TPU has achieved some results in the medical field in China, such as the successful development of shape memory polyurethane elastomer, which can be used to produce anti-allergic gloves and band-aids with body temperature shape memory polyurethane elastomer and thermoplastic polyurethane film composite textiles. Amphoteric biodegradable medical polyurethane elastomers were prepared under mild reaction conditions.

In addition, good results have been achieved in prosthetics, cartilage, separation membranes, medical sutures, family planning products, etc.

In summary, TPU materials have good biocompatibility, anti-thrombotic properties, large degree of design freedom, good mechanical strength, easy processing and molding, good adhesion, excellent anti-friction and anti-bending properties, and are widely used in medical materials. Its wide application is the focus of future research.

This article briefly introduces several applications of polyurethane elastomer elastic materials in the medical field, such as artificial heart assist devices, medical catheters, medical films, medical artificial skin, etc. my country has also developed biodegradable PU drug sustained-release materials, tissue engineering materials, and Research on human body repair materials, TPU will still have more applications in the medical field in the future.