Bayer launches new polycarbonate blend grade tailored for wearable medical devices

Wearable medical devices increasingly are called upon to perform a variety of important tasks, such as monitoring vital signs or delivering drugs. As their popularity grows, so too does the need for materials that satisfy the unique requirements of these devices.

To serve this growing market, Bayer MaterialScience LLC has introduced a new polycarbonate blend developed specifically for wearable devices. Makroblend® M525 polycarbonate (PC)/polyester provides a high level of chemical resistance against body lotions and other chemicals while also meeting the testing requirements of ISO 10993-5 (Cytotoxicity) and ISO 10993-10 (Irritation and Sensitization) for biocompatibility.

Medical device and health care OEMs have relied on materials and technical expertise from Bayer for decades, and our materials continue to be integral to many of the most innovative medical devices on the market today,” said Bruce Fine, market segment leader – medical, North America, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. “Our launch of Makroblend® M525 PC/polyester is just the latest example of how Bayer constantly looks for opportunities to deliver even greater value to meet the evolving needs of OEMs, molders and, of course, end-users.

This new plastic grade exhibits excellent toughness, moldability and dimensional stability and can be color-matched to a wide variety of colors to satisfy the design criteria wearable devices require. The new grade offers improved overmolding performance in devices with features such as molded-in windows or tubes. Standard assembly methods such as ultrasonic welding and adhesive bonding also work quite well.

Now commercially available, this latest addition to the Bayer medical-grade portfolio delivers a balance of performance and manufacturability specifically tailored to the requirements of wearable medical devices.

In addition to Makroblend® PC/polyester blends, Bayer’s engineering plastics portfolio includes medical-grade Makrolon® polycarbonate, Apec® high-heat polycarbonate, Bayblend® PC/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blends, and Texin® thermoplastic polyurethanes, many of which meet the requirements of FDA-modified ISO 10993-1. The company also offers Dureflex® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films for breathable wound care, and Bayfol® multilayer films for medical packaging. Attendees at MD&M West Conference and Exposition, Feb. 10-12 in Anaheim, Calif., can visit Bayer’s booth (#2021) for more details about these material solutions for medical applications.