Reinforcing Functionality and Performance of Wrist Orthoses

The digital era has a painful side—wrist injuries and other musculoskeletal problems can result from heavy use of computers and devices, often caused by repetitive movements, awkward wrist positions, and poor ergonomics, especially with continuous use without breaks. Wrist orthoses, custom-fitted braces or splints that support bones, tendons, nerves, joints, ligaments, and soft tissues, can provide relief and speed up healing by guiding wrist movement, restoring function, and reducing the risk of further injury. 

The biomedical industry increasingly uses flexible, versatile thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) to provide a softer interface and adjustable stiffness, reducing the discomfort caused by rigid materials traditionally used in wrist-hand orthoses. 

KRAIBURG TPE, a global manufacturer of thermoplastic elastomers and customized material solutions for diverse industries, offers THERMOLAST® H compounds that meet orthotic standards, offering durability, flexibility, and moldability for customized fit in orthotic and assistive applications.

Precision and flexibility combined for user interfaces 
THERMOLAST® H series provides the soft, smooth touch needed for functional and user-interface parts of wrist orthoses, including adjustment buttons, rotary knobs, and soft-touch contact areas. The compounds ensure precise mechanical performance and consistent tactile feel even after repeated use, while offering good colorability for functional differentiation.

Stable adhesion for multi-material design
THERMOLAST® H compounds adhere reliably to polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), enabling efficient overmolding onto rigid orthosis components. They maintain dimensional stability under repeated stress, making them ideal for adjustment interfaces and other frequently used parts, while supporting ergonomic, efficient, and durable device designs.

Healthcare-approved sterilization capability
THERMOLAST® H withstands standard medical sterilization methods, including autoclaving at 121°C and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization, making it suitable for applications that require hygiene control. The series meets international standards and regulations such as GB 4806.7-2023, GB/T 16886.5, ISO 10993-5, Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, and US FDA CFR 21, ensuring safe use in applications with prolonged skin contact and medical device interfaces. They contain no animal-derived ingredients and meet regulations for use in healthcare environments. 

Sustainability from the get-go
At KRAIBURG TPE, sustainability drives our innovation. Our portfolio includes bio-based TPEs and compounds with post-consumer (PCR) and post-industrial (PIR) recycled content. Selected TPEs are certified under GRS and ISCC PLUS. We also provide Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data upon request to support sustainability decisions. We proudly earned the EcoVadis Gold Medal in 2025 and are committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning our goals with global climate action. From reducing emissions to increasing circularity, our sustainable TPEs deliver reliable performance and are available worldwide to support your applications while advancing your sustainability goals. Get in touch today to learn how KRAIBURG TPE can support your sustainability and product development journey.

Discover More with TPE:
Delivering safe, ergonomic TPE solutions for healthcare and medical device applications. From crutch handles to posture correctors, our materials support functional design and long-term patient comfort.

Disclaimer: The applications mentioned are illustrative of material capabilities only. Final product suitability and regulatory compliance must be assessed and validated by the customer.