Why High-Performance TPE Tubing is Vital in the Medical Industry
Ensuring reliable, safe, and flexible materials are used in the medical industry is critical. However, traditional materials used in medical tubing can be prone to issues such as brittleness, leaching, or contamination. This is where high-performance TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) tubing comes in.
Designed to overcome the limitations of other materials, TPE tubing offers unmatched flexibility, durability, and sterility. In this post, we’ll explore why this versatile solution is essential across a wide range of medical applications from medical equipment to drug delivery systems.
TPE in Medical Applications
High-performance TPE tubing is essential in medical applications that require flexibility, chemical resistance, and superior hygiene. Failure to use the best medical grade tubing in these cases leads to patient safety issues such as allergic reactions.
Here are some examples where you should use TPE tubing:
- Urology - TPE tubing is used in catheters and surgical tubing in hospital urology departments. Highly sterile tubing is essential in applications where the material may come into contact with waste and bacteria, reducing the risk of irritation or infection.
- IV Lines - Intravenous lines require easy movement and manipulation. At the same time they must be safe for contact with bodily fluids and skin. Thus, using sterile, flexible TPE tubing in intravenous lines is ubiquitous.
- Respiratory Applications - TPE tubing is ideal for use in respiratory equipment and ventilation systems, for example, star lumen tubing for oxygen masks or nasal cannulas. It’s latex-free and non-toxic and therefore safe for human use. Plus, it’s flexible allowing for greater patient mobility.
- Diagnostic Equipment - You may also use TPE in medical applications to transfer fluids in devices, for instance, transferring reagents or samples in blood analysers. The material won’t contaminate the sample increasing diagnostic accuracy.
What Are the Advantages of High-Performance TPE Tubing?
Perhaps you’re considering which material is optimal for medical tubing. Medical-grade components must meet high regulatory standards and possess the right features to function efficiently and effectively in a medical environment.
High-performance TPE tubing possesses many advantages over the materials you may have been using for years such as PVC. The following qualities make TPE tubing the best choice for demanding medical environments:
Resistance
High-performance TPE tubing has antimicrobial properties which are essential for keeping medical environments safe and compliant. The tubing resists and prevents the growth of microbes including bacteria, mould, and COVID-19.
Thermoplastics are further resistant to chemicals, oils, alkalis, acids and corrosive materials. They’re crack-resistant and possess strong flex fatigue performance. This means TPE tubing is durable, reliable, and has a long lifespan.
Resistance is important as medical tubing is used frequently and in strenuous environments. This means you need a material that can endure tough conditions without frequent replacements, leading to cost savings.
Lightweight Flexibility
Thanks to its lightweight and flexible properties, TPE tubing is easy to handle, move, and transport. This makes operations in a busy medical facility more efficient. Plus, patients are able to move freely and comfortably while the tubing remains kink-free ensuring they continue to receive vital fluids or oxygen, for example.
TPE tubing also maintains its flexibility at different temperatures, ranging from -50°c to +130°c. Thus, it can be used to transfer liquids at high temperatures, for instance, in dialysis machines where fluids are heated to body temperature.
Cost-Efficiency
Budget is of course a concern in medical institutions. Every piece of equipment and component must align with strict financial constraints. Yet, you can’t afford to compromise on quality when it comes to patient and staff safety. The great thing about TPE tubing is that it’s a cost-effective solution that doesn’t compromise on durability, safety, or performance.
Sustainability
If you wish to introduce greener practices in your institution, TPE is a sustainable choice. It’s recyclable unlike other materials such as rubber or silicone. Furthermore, the manufacturing process creates a smaller environmental impact, allowing you to reduce your carbon footprint.
It’s also possible to reuse TPE tubing while maintaining its sterility and integrity. The material is able to withstand rigorous sterilising processes including gamma radiation and autoclaving.
Versatility
As described above, TPE tubing is ideal for use in various medical applications. Its incredible versatility makes it suitable for other use cases too, for instance in industry, biopharmaceuticals, and the automotive sector.
At Transam Extrusions, we create bespoke TPE tubing, seals, gaskets, and profiles to your precise specifications. So, whatever your application, we can provide a solution that meets your needs.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Medical Tubing
Selecting the right medical tubing material impacts the safety, effectiveness, and longevity of medical devices and systems. By understanding the following key considerations, you can make an informed decision to optimise performance and patient outcomes:
- Use case - Carefully consider the qualities your medical hoses need for their intended application. Note whether the material is suitable for internal or external human contact. Also consider the operating environment and what kinds of temperatures it will be exposed to.
- Flexibility - In certain use cases, such as patient use, you will require kink-resistant tubing with an extensive bend radius. In others, you may need rigid tubing, for example in surgical instruments.
- Colour - Determine whether you need a clear material for visibility of the fluid or gas being transferred. Or perhaps you need a specific colour for easy identification of each line.
- Sizing - Consider the internal diameter, outer diameter, and wall thickness you require for your specific application. This ensures the tubing will connect easily to other fittings, handle the necessary pressure, and meet performance requirements without compromising patient safety.
TPE Tubing Vs. Silicon Tubing
As TPE and silicone are some of the most commonly-used materials for medical-grade tubing, you may be wondering how to choose between the two. Each material has unique advantages. Silicone has a higher temperature resistance and greater chemical inertness than TPE. However, it cannot be melted and recycled in the same way as TPE.
High-performance TPE tubing offers greater cost-efficiency, flexibility, and greater resistance to abrasions and solvents than silicone. It further outperforms silicone in preventing contamination. Plus, it’s easier to shape and mould TPE to create bespoke extrusions.
The material you choose for medical tubing depends on your specific application. It’s important to analyse the characteristics of each material to determine which is the right tubing for your needs.
Enhance Patient Care with TPE Tubing
High-performance TPE tubing plays an indispensable role in the medical industry. As medical technology continues to advance, the demand for innovative materials like TPE will only grow, ensuring better patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare solutions. Visit our shop to acquire high-quality TPE tubing for your medical facility today.