The use of polymers in medical devices is growing at a steady rate. These materials are generally relatively cheap and versatile, qualities required in many bulk applications. In more specialised medical devices, polymeric components have been developed to meet challenging property and performance requirements.

This review describes the process of developing polymeric products for medical applications from design requirements through to specific examples of medical devices and packaging.

Topics covered in this review include a summary of the use of different polymers in medical devices and an outline of the general considerations for polymers to be used in medical devices:

The authors of this overview, Dr Lambert, Dr Tang and Mr Rogers, are specialists in this field. Dr Lambert is Manager of Quality Services at Guidant Corporation and has a background in radiation and polymer science; he has worked in the medical device industry for over ten years. Dr Tang is an R&D engineer at Guidant Corporation working on medical device design, ageing and the effects of radiation on polymers. Wayne Rogers is a consultant in the healthcare industry.

The review is technical in content, but should be understood by readers from a variety of backgrounds. It will be of benefit to medical device manufacturers, medical polymer suppliers and to workers in the healthcare industry itself who have an interest in medical device design and quality standards.

This Rapra Review Report comprises a concise, expert overview, supported by a bibliography of around 400 abstracts compiled from the Polymer Library on the topic of polymers in medical applications. This bibliography provides extensive additional information.