Polymers for the Medical Industry 1999 brought together speakers representing the complete spectrum across the polymers to medical devices supply chain. The merits of specialist polymers such as polyurethane elastomers, PVC and methacrylates was discussed along with more general reviews of the route from polymer to product, and the challenges facing suppliers of medical polymers as we enter the new millennium.

The bonding of polymers with fast curing solvent-free adhesive systems to facilitate the assembly of complex medical assemblies, the techniques for ensuring freedom from contamination within the assembly process and the design of cleanrooms were also highlighted. Techniques of surface characterisation of medical components, modification of polymer surfaces which contact body tissue and biofluids to improve biocompatability performance, and polymers used in transdermal drug delivery also featured in the program. Fabrication of medical components using state-of-the-art extrusion and moulding techniques, and device sterilisation with an added benefit of polymer modification take the raw materials towards the final product to be marketed by the OEM.

In our increasingly environmentally conscious society the concerns relating to PVC, the most widely used polymer in disposable medical devices, and polymer additives thought to affect human health through endocrine disruption are to be debated by acknowledged experts. Finally the importance of the device performance to doctor and patient was considered in a case study given by a leading cardiothoracic clinician in the field extracorporeal blood oxygenation.

List of Papers

Design and Development of Innovative Medical Devices Using Novel Polyurethane Elastomers
Robert J.Carson and Alan Edwards, CardioTech International Limited, UK

Parylene Polymers for the Medical Industry
Chris Hardy and Gordon Pryor, SCS Europe, UK

Biofine: A New Non PVC Material for Haemodialysis
Jrg Vienken, Frensenius Medical Care, Germany

High Quality Tube Extrusion for the Medical Device Industry
John Colbert, Davis-Standard Limited, UK

Polymer to Product - The Role of the Injection Moulder
Paul Flavell, West Pharmaceutical Services Ltd, UK

Dont Believe in Half Truths - PVC is Here to Stay
J.R. Svanlander, European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers & INSAM SA, Switzerland

Performance of Tubing During Prolonged Extracorporeal Circulation
Giles J. Peek, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK

Some Clinical Applications for Methacrylate Polymers
Mike Braden, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, UK

The Medical Device directives, as Successful as Expected
J.L. Webster, Medical Device Consultants International, UK

The Design and Build of a Cleanroom - An Important Link in the Medical Device Supply Chain
Nigel Frost, Thermal Transfer Limited, UK

"Just in Time for Cleaning" Improves the Yields in Medical Packaging
R. Cannon, Teknet Electronics Limited ,UK

Bonding Polymers with Fast Curing Solvent free Adhesives in the Medical Industry
Bob Goss, Locite UK Limited, UK

Endocrine Disruptors - What is the Concern
Stephen A. Ruckman, Huntingdon Life Sciences, UK

Challenges Facing Suppliers of Medical Polymers for the New Millennium
Gavin Jones, REHAU Limited, UK

Design of Surface Modified Biomedical Devices
M. Hendricks, M. Gillissen, J. Vincent, M. Verhoeven, E. Koulik, V. Larik, Medtronic Bakken Research Centre BV, The Netherlands

Transdermal Drug Delivery - Study of the Process and Improvements
J.M. Vergnaud, Faculty of Sciences, University of St. Etienne, France

Sterilisation and Polymer Modification - The Dual Role of Irradiation Technologies
J. Andy Spry, Isotron Plc.,UK

Characterising the Medical Polymer Supply Chain by Surface Analysis
Robin West, CSMA Limited, UK

Thermoplastic Vulcanisates: New Materials of Choice for Health Care
Kurt Severyns, Advanced Elastomer Systems, NV/SA, Belgium

Designing Polymers for Implantation - An Industrial Perspective
Chris Ansell, Smith & Nephew Group Research Centre, UK