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What are leachables in medical plastics? Why are they relevant and what is the issue? Diving into this topic impacts us all.

Plastics such as PTFE flood the medical industry daily. Examining PTFE’s past and present guides us towards its sustainable future.

A paradigm shift is underway as the plastics industry moves towards sustainability. However, healthcare plastics present challenges that must be overcome to incorporate PCR in their applications and enhance circularity.

Specialized equipment that enhances skin recovery in chronic wounds usually needs biocompatible, sterilizable, and durable materials. For this reason, Vaporox developed the VHT-200 to foster revascularization and tissue growth in chronic skin wounds using a high-tech polycarbonate. Tailored for clinic and physician office use, the medical device required a robust material for its vaporizer component. Due to the device’s significance, technical support from the plastic supplier was a crucial factor in the decision-making process.

3D printing has emerged as a game-changer in the medical field, particularly in the development of prosthetics and orthotics. While the technology allows for highly customizable solutions, challenges persist, especially concerning the limited availability of these prosthetics. However, a recent breakthrough in 3D printing research by Loughborough University could potentially revolutionize the creation of prosthetic sockets.

Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers partnered to develop a technology that translates information from scanned patient images (CT) into 3D-printed phantom models with specific material characteristics that emulate the radiopacity of human anatomy.

An intercampus collaboration led by Dr. Gunisha Kaur, an associate professor of anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine, has received a National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Catalyst Prize for its project, “Digital Solutions to Reduce Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Refugee Women.”

Imagine a future where organs or tissues can be 3D printed directly inside the human body. This once far-fetched idea is now on the horizon, thanks to a pioneering 3D printing process developed by researchers at Duke University and Harvard Medical School.

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) invites you to join their team of instructors as they develop educational programs and workshops for their audience of plastics professionals seeking to enhance their work skills and abilities. Instructors will lead workshops that break the mold, offering unique perspectives and insights that resonate with their audience.

SPE has recently announced that the ANTEC® 2024 program will feature a Symposium Honoring the Career Achievements of Mr. Glenn Beall. His indelible legacy has significantly contributed to the growth of plastics and SPE.