What Plastics are Used in Medical Devices?

Medical plastic products have become more advanced as the global market for high-quality medical devices continues to expand. Such devices have become a necessary and vital component in the modern healthcare system. Medical plastic products are available in a wide assortment of devices. From test equipment like vials and beakers to surgical instruments, catheters, and implants, plastics are used more and more for their high performance, lightweight, and lower costs.

Creating Safe and Effective Medical Devices

Diverse medical applications, product durability, and biocompatibility are all important factors that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of medical plastic products must consider to meet market demands. Just as important, medical-grade plastic materials must meet regulatory requirements throughout the globe. To ensure that the plastic material is safe and effective for medical products, polymers for medical devices are generally made of thermoplastic materials.

  • Thermoplastic is a type of synthetic polymer. All plastics are made from specific types of synthetic polymers, and the terms ‘polymer’ and ‘plastic’ are generally used synonymously. That said, thermoplastics are distinguished from other synthetic polymers because they can be reheated and remolded time and again without irreversible degradation. The changes are physical, not chemical, which means thermoplastics can be reused and recycled. When heated, thermoplastics liquefy, and the material becomes easily moldable, then solidifies into a durable finished product when cooled. This makes thermoplastics ideal for custom plastic injection molding and injection blow molding services.
  • The choice of thermoplastic materials must be of medical-grade polymers. The properties of medical-grade plastics or polymers share common characteristics, meaning they must be manufactured under a physician’s license to pass the verification and validation requirements of the regulatory agencies. For specific applications regarding patient safety, they must offer biocompatibility. Further, the finished product must be temperature, impact, and corrosion resistance to withstand the high wear and repeated sterilization cycles medical plastic products are subject to. Common thermoplastic materials used in the manufacturing of medical plastic products include polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, or the formulation of custom polymers to meet specific medical device applications.
  • Polycarbonates are used in a variety of materials, but are most well-known for their impact resistance properties and withstanding high-temperature ranges. Applications for polycarbonate polymers include plastic lenses in eyewear, automotive components, protective gear, and medical devices. Because polycarbonates have good heat-resistant properties, they are very pliable and can be formed at room temperature without cracking or breaking. Such properties make polycarbonate very useful in prototyping applications, such as with medical devices.
  • Polypropylene is a cost-effective medical-grade plastic material and is used where steam-sterilized medical devices are necessary. In addition to resistance to steam sterilization, mechanical performance properties of polypropylene include durability for the number of cycles it can be reused. Its recyclability also makes it an attractive medical-grade plastic.
  • Polyethylene is a versatile, durable thermoplastic with a wide range of applications. Its high impact resistance and resistance to chemicals, along with low moisture absorption make it a choice medical grade plastic. It doesn’t fade nor retain dangerous bacteria and can withstand harsh cleaning agents. It is often one of the materials used in medical implants because it is a porous synthetic polymer that is biologically inert and does not degrade in the body.

Medical Plastic Products That Meet Market Demands

Medical plastic products are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. The growth of polymers in medical devices has transformed the marketplace, with plastic medical devices steadily replacing other materials such as glass, ceramics, and metals, wherever applicable. Medical grade polymers can vary, but have certain characteristics and properties in common, along with meeting regulatory standards and requirements.

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Plastic Products Catalog

BMP Medical is a quality manufacturer of plastic consumables and plastic products for research and medical diagnostic laboratories. Our products are manufactured to the highest quality standards. We offer a wide selection of products sold through the world’s premier laboratory distributors.

Non-Sterile and Sterile Centrifuge Bottles

  • Available with standard caps for low-speed work and sealing caps for high-speed applications
  • Caps have a built-in gripper to facilitate removal from the rotor
  • Extra thick walls for durability-resistant to most chemicals
  • Wide mouth design makes filling and decanting easier
These precision molded centrifuge bottles are available in polycarbonate or polypropylene. For low speed applications the bottles provide excellent value for large volume/large batch centrifugation procedures. For high-speed work, the easy-to-use Noryl® (Noryl® is a registered trademark of General Electric Company) sealing caps with silicone O-rings enable leak-free processing at high centrifugal forces over long durations. Bottles must be filled to 80% of capacity. Centrifuge bottles may be autoclaved at 121ºC at 15 psi for 20 minutes. Caps should be placed on the bottles without engaging the threads. Bottles are qualified to the rated g-forces using Sorvall® (Sorvall® is a registered trademark of Kendro Laboratory Products) and Fiberlite® (Fiberlite® is a registered trademark of Piramoon Technologies Inc.) high-speed rotors, tested at 20ºC, with bottles filled to 80% of capacity. Failure to use the correct rotor cushion or adapter will shorten the life of the bottle and may prevent achievement of the maximum rated RCF and/or bottle failure. Prolonged autoclaving and reuse may cause stress cracks, crazing or bottle discoloration.
centrifuge bottle
Sterile Centrifuge Bottles 
 
centrifuge bottle
Non-sterile Centrifuge Bottles

Cytology Funnels Category

BMP Medical Cytology Funnels for the Shandon CytoSpin® Centrifuge BMP Medical Cytology Funnels are the functional equivalent of the Thermo Shandon CytoFunnel®. Fully compatible with the Shandon CytoSpin Centrifuge, BMP Medical Cytology Funnels can be used to deposit a thin layer of cells in a clearly defined area of a microscope slide. The filter card absorbs any excess fluid. Operation is identical to those supplied by Shandon and easy-to-follow instructions are included in each pack. All products sold in case quantities only.


 

metal cytology funnel clip

Metal Cytology
Funnel Clips

Double Cytology Funnels

Double Cytology Funnels

Single Cytology Funnels

Single Cytology Funnels

Hemodrop Blood Dispenser

The Hemodrop is designed to reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the Hematology laboratory. To prepare a manual differential smear, a drop of blood needs to be dispensed onto a glass slide from the specimen tube. Simply puncture the rubber stopper with the Hemodrop, and then invert and press gently onto the slide. A single drop of blood will be dispensed and the slide is ready. No more removing the stopper and manually putting a drop on the slide to test blood.  
hemodrop
Hemodrop

Multipurpose Containers

These high-quality non-graduated lab containers are designed for the collection, transport, and storage of specimens and samples. Tight fitting lids prevent leaks and odors. Ideal for storing biologically hazardous samples for terminal autoclaving before disposal. Molded from various materials. The stackable containers are resistant to freezing and boiling.

centrifuge

Translucent Multipurpose
Containers

 

Polypropylene Beakers

Resistant to most commonly used laboratory reagents, including a variety of strong acids, bases, and organic solvents, these high quality polypropylene beakers are the premier choice for scientific laboratory applications. All beakers are transparent for clear content visibility and graduated for easily estimating volumes. Molded-in pouring spouts, and a rolled lip, for a dripless working environment. Autoclavable to 121ºC ( 248ºF).
centrifuge
Polypropylene Beaker

Specimen Collection

For specimen collection and transport, this system provides disposable products for the convenient collection, delivery, and testing of urine specimens. A plastic cup is provided for specimen collection and the pressure sensitive patient identification labels have ample writing space. The lightweight transport rack is small and easy to carry yet provides space for up to 20 tubes with labels and caps. The tubes are made of sturdy polystyrene and are safe for centrifuging. The flared top permits the use of a midget urinometer ensuring a tight cap fit.   
centrifuge
Specimen Collection Kit
   
centrifuge
Commode Specimen Collection Systems
 

Tissue & Ultra Tissue Grinders

We offer two lines of tissue grinders for the clinical lab and research lab. The standard product is all plastic and is designed to grind softer tissues such as liver and spleen. The Ultra tissue grinder line has a vitrified tip and is designed for tougher material such as muscle or bone. Both lines are delivered sterile sealed Tyvek® (Tyvek® is a registered trademark of DuPont) package.

tissue grinder

Tissue Grinders

ultra tissue grinder

Ultra Tissue
Grinders

Urine Sedimentation System

BMP Medical, a manufacturer of diagnostic products, has a full line of urinalysis disposables. We offer the components separately, or in various kit sizes and configurations. The line is built around our 10-chambered Decislide which is made out of optically clear acrylic. It can take 10 individual samples on the same slide eliminating the need for a new slide for each sample.

 

Urine Sedimentation

Urine Sedimentation
System