If someone asked you to think of all of the innovative ways that rubber is used, you might mention a variety of parts in the automotive and aerospace industries. While these examples are correct, rubber is also a key factor in the medical field - and can help make the difference between a successful use and major failure.
From its resistance to chemicals and sterilizers to its ability to work under pressure while being flexible and strong, rubber components are a vital part of a safe medical industry.
Rubber Tubing
There are a number of ways that rubber tubing is used in medicine. For instance, Allegro Medical features 50 feet of latex draining tubing that is used in a leg bag or urostomy pouch. This type of tubing is hygienic and must be strong enough to safely transfer bodily fluids away from the person. Rubber tubing is also used during surgery in a number of ways, including delivering medicine to the patient through an IV bag. Rubber tubing can also be used in straps that help keep fluid bags attached to the patient's body.
High-Consistency Rubber Silicone
Another type of rubber that has been used in the medical industry for some time is called high-consistency rubber (HCR) silicone. As Medical Design Briefs notes, it consists of a high-molecular weight polymer that is combined with silica to make a material that can be extruded or molded into a number of medial devices. Examples include balloons, sheeting and molded parts. More specifically, one of the first ways HCR was utilized in the medical industry was in making an implantable hydrocephalus shunt. As you can imagine, anything that is placed in or near the brain to help drain fluid from the head must be of the highest quality, and HCR provides that in this critical type of shunt. Because the silicone elastomers can be molded so well, a shunt can be created with the ideal valve mechanism that is the proper tension and functions correctly at all times.
Rubber O-Rings Used in Syringes and Medical Plungers
Rubber is also a key component in syringes, which are often used to deliver needed medicine to patients. As Apple Rubber notes, they also get a number of requests for their medical plunger tips. While there are a number of companies that make standard sizes for the plungers, Apple Rubber specializes in custom grommets that can be used in more specialized medical applications. The rubber grommets can also be self-lubricating, which helps to reduce friction and allows the medical personnel to safely and efficiently deliver medication to the patient. Rubber o-rings can also help create a vacuum seal in a syringe or other medical device, which will allow medication to be administered into a patient without the fear of air entering in. Going back to the HCR example, it can be manufactured into flat sheets which can then be die-cut; this can also be used as a gasket seal in the medical device. When it is cured with peroxide, the HCR gasket is self-adhering and it also has a long shelf life.
Rubber Is Key in the Medical Industry
As you can see, the medical industry would not be as advanced as it is today without the help of rubber components. From tubes that remove fluid from the body safely and comfortably to drug device systems and much more, rubber plays a number of key roles in the health and safety of patients.
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