TPE as a key material factor for more potent respiratory devices

Technological advancement in respiratory care devices results in enhanced preventive and treatment outcomes. With the increasing global prevalence of respiratory conditions, demand for devices that help the removal of mucus from the airways and aid in improving pulmonary function is also growing. Yet, not all respiratory and breathing therapy devices are created equal and their material composition makes all the difference.

Thermoplastic elastomers materials or TPEs yield properties suited for medical applications, specifically for respirator and breathing therapy devices.  Such benefits include low surface friction, good sealing, soft touch, elasticity, durability, and good adhesion that are ideal for use in medical inhaler mask, bag valve mask, mouthpieces, tubing, and connectors for respiratory aids.

KRAIBURG TPE, a global TPE manufacturer of a wide range of thermoplastic elastomer products and custom solutions for multiple industries, offers high-quality custom engineered THERMOLAST® M TPE materials for applications in medical and pharmaceutical devices used in healthcare facilities.

Sterilizability, safety adherence in medical applications

The THERMOLAST® M series compounds are sterilizable with superheated steam of 121°C or 134°C, γ-gamma ray treatment (2 x 35 kGy), β-ray (electron beam) treatment (2 x 35 kGy) and EtO gas. Safe to use in medical applications, these compounds are free of latex, PVC, and phthalates, and they are produced without the use of heavy metals.

Additionally, the THERMOLAST® M compounds possess excellent durability, flexibility and high elasticity that are suitable for use in flexible connectors, membranes, seals and valves as well as for breathing therapy devices such as oxygen tube, nebulizer-tubing, aerosol mask, mouthpiece, flexible connectors, portable nebulizer, valve (mouthpiece), and nasal douche (lid & connector).

THERMOLAST® M series has excellent adhesion to a range of polyolefins such as PP, PE, COC and COP; and technical thermoplastics such as ABS, PC, PET-G, as well as polyamides by multi-component injection molding. The compounds can be processed through injection molding and extrusion,  and have excellent compression set characteristics.

These compounds are usually transparent or translucent in color. However, as KRAIBURG TPE offers services on coloration and color matching to individual color samples, all compounds can likewise be obtained in any given color.

Evidence of Safety

The TPE series meets the requirements of the VDI 2017 guideline for medical grade plastics (MGPs) issued by the Association of German Engineers (VDI), as well as the Reach and RoHS standards. The compounds are tested according to DIN ISO 10993-5 Cytotoxicity; DIN ISO 10993-4 Haemolysis, indirect blood contact; DIN ISO 10993-10 Intracutaneous irritation and DIN ISO 10993-11 Acute system toxicity; USP Class VI Extraction.

Customer satisfaction at the fore

KRAIBURG TPE strives to maintain the standards of its products by providing a unique service package that focuses on our customer needs in constantly recording manufacturing process in the drug Masterfile (DMF); and by guaranteeing 24-month supply security and purity of our raw materials through the commitment of our suppliers and a dedicated production unit for THERMOLAST® M to ensure the quality, safety and reliability of our TPEs.