Materials Tech Pulse

In the medical device industry, material selection is held to the highest standards - not only for biocompatibility to prevent adverse reactions in the body, but also for stability and safety to ensure long-term usage without compromising treatment. While traditional materials such as PVC and TPU are widely used, they face limitations in terms of transparency, flexibility, and impurity control.

To meet the growing demand for next-generation high-performance materials in medical applications, LCY offers a new solution: high-transparency, low-impurity SEBS. This advanced material expands the scope of medical applications by delivering safer, clearer, and more efficient solutions for the healthcare industry.

Superior Elasticity and Stability Enabled by Molecular Architecture and Hydrogenation

The exceptional performance of styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) polymer lies in its triblock molecular structure, composed of hard polystyrene end blocks and a flexible middle rubber block. This unique architecture contributes to its excellent elasticity, mechanical strength, and optical transparency.

Moreover, advanced manufacturing technology can effectively hydrogenate the double bonds in the rubber block to significantly improve its chemical and thermal stability. This reduces the risk of oxidation and yellowing while minimizing residual monomers and other impurities, making it a pure and stable material.

Optical Clarity Enhances Visualization and Safety in Medical Applications

LCY's SEBS offers excellent optical clarity - an essential property for medical applications such as IV catheters and infusion sets. Transparent materials allow healthcare professionals to visually monitor fluid flow and blood return in real time, improving the safety and accuracy of clinical procedures.

In addition to stable transparency, LCY’s high-transparency SEBS does not haze and discolor over time, even under extended use and environmental exposure, further enhancing visibility critical in medical applications.

Ultra-Low Impurity SEBS Reduces Health Risk

LCY's SEBS is characterized by ultra-low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), significantly reducing the risk of chemical release during medical procedures that could compromise patient health.

Rigorous refining and purification processes minimize residual monomers, catalyst residues, and other potential impurities. The material has passed USP Class VI and ISO 10993 biocompatibility tests, which confirm that LCY's SEBS is non-toxic and safe for direct contact with the human body—fully meeting the stringent safety requirements for medical-grade materials.

Processing Flexibility Meets Diverse Manufacturing Demands

SEBS is a thermoplastic elastomer with excellent processing versatility. It supports various manufacturing methods including injection molding, extrusion, and compounding with other materials, all while maintaining consistent physical properties and transparency. Its tunable hardness and elasticity allow medical device manufacturers to develop customized solutions for specific applications.

Moreover, SEBS achieves its softness without plasticizers, offering a safer, greener alternative to traditional materials such as PVC. This eliminates concerns about plasticizer leaching and supports a more sustainable approach.

Case Studies: High-Transparency, Low-Impurity SEBS Applications

● Invasive medical devices

Applications: Transparent catheters, IV sets

Advantages: SEBS offers excellent transparency and softness, allowing healthcare professionals to easily observe blood return during venipuncture and confirm needle placement. Its softness reduces patient discomfort during insertion, while its high tensile strength ensures that catheters remain intact during insertion and fixation, increasing the reliability of clinical procedures.

● Non-invasive medical devices

Applications: Oxygen masks, blood pressure cuff

SEBS provides a soft and comfortable fit for non-invasive medical devices. For oxygen masks, the high transparency allows medical staff to easily monitor the patient's nose and mouth to ensure proper airflow. Its superior elasticity allows the mask to conform to facial contours to minimize oxygen leakage. In blood pressure cuffs, SEBS maintains excellent elasticity and durability through repeated inflation and deflation.

● Pharmaceutical packaging

Applications: Auxiliary stoppers and sealing rings

Advantages: SEBS’s ultra-low impurity profile is a key advantage in pharmaceutical packaging. Its low VOC content and high chemical stability ensure that stoppers and seals in direct contact with pharmaceutical liquids do not release harmful substances, thus preventing contamination. Additionally, SEBS provides outstanding elasticity and shape recovery, ensuring a tight seal that maintains product integrity and safety.

As medical technology continues to advance, material innovation has become a critical factor in enhancing the safety and performance of medical devices. LCY's high-transparency, low-impurity SEBS is poised to provide the healthcare industry with superior material solutions. We look forward to expanded partnerships to drive the future of medical device development.

Moving forward, we will focus on further improving the transparency and biocompatibility of SEBS, as well as supporting our industry partners in achieving breakthroughs in functionality and sustainability. Together, we aim to create safer, more efficient, and greener solutions for the medical field.

Contact LCY today to explore the medical application possibilities of SEBS.