Redefining Ultrasound Device Performance with Healthcare TPE Compounds 

The age of advanced handheld technologies is here, featuring lightweight, portable, and compact designs that make point-of-care more accessible and affordable. Small ultrasound devices, especially those with internet connectivity, now allow healthcare professionals to perform real-time imaging almost anywhere. Talk about convenience!

Whether in portable or cart-based systems, this milestone in ultrasound device innovation calls for materials that are not only reliable and safe but also adaptable to flexible design requirements.

KRAIBURG TPE, a leading global producer of thermoplastic elastomers, offers high-performance ultrasound equipment material solutions with mechanical properties suited for handheld medical instruments, including imaging devices such as ultrasound systems. The THERMOLAST® H series healthcare TPE material is the right fit for housing seals, cable grommets, control buttons, ergonomic grips, and more.

Material compatibility and process efficiency
The THERMOLAST® H medical and healthcare TPE series exhibit excellent adhesion to polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), enabling efficient multi-component injection molding and seamless integration of soft-touch components such as knobs, grips, and gaskets onto hard substrates. This enhances device performance by improving ergonomics and durability, while streamlining production by reducing assembly steps and material compatibility issues.

Reliable and wear-resistant
The THERMOLAST® H medical TPE series meets the demands of ultrasound equipment components that withstand intensive use in high-touch environments, while maintaining their shape and function. Their optimized compression set ensures that seals, gaskets, and soft-touch parts retain elasticity and performance.

Colorability and soft-touch advantage
The THERMOLAST® H medical TPE series creates opportunities for healthcare equipment manufacturers to incorporate color differentiation for functions and controls, improving usability for the end user. Additionally, the TPE’s soft-touch, smooth surface enhances comfort during extended procedures, reducing operator fatigue.

Sterile-compatible materials for safe device use 
THERMOLAST® H medical TPE series is sterilizable via autoclave (121°C) and ethylene oxide (EtO), and comply with various standards, such as ISO 10993-5, US FDA CFR 21, EU Regulation No. 10/2011, and China GB 4806.7-2023. This TPE material is free from toxic substances, heavy metals, and animal-derived ingredients, preventing contamination risks and maintaining safe use in medical imaging devices.

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