CREDIT: LUBRIZOL
Lubrizol announces the launch of Tolerathane TPU, a new medical-grade material engineered to meet the evolving demands of implantable medical devices. Compared to other TPU materials, Tolerathane TPU offers unparalleled tolerance to harsh biological conditions while maintaining superior softness, mechanical resilience, and seamless integration into standard thermoplastics processing.
Designed to help medical device OEMs reimagine what’s possible for implanted technologies, the thermoplastic nature and polyurethane mechanical properties of Tolerathane TPU open new possibilities for advanced device design for a range of applications. The product’s performance attributes closely align with the technical requirements of neuromodulation and cardiac leads, structural heart implants, percutaneous catheters and cables, and implanted textiles.
Performance benefits
- Boosted biostability: Superior tolerance to oxidative and hydrolytic attack compared to currently available TPU materials
- Softness without sacrifice: Enhanced biostability at the softest durometers while offering good mechanical properties
- Scaled for customization: Seamlessly integrates with typical thermal processing methods and offers tunability for optimized performance
- A thermoplastic alternative to silicone: Enables thinner wall designs that support device miniaturization and design flexibility – transforming innovation in implantable medical device development.
“Lubrizol brings decades of foundational expertise to its specialized medical-grade TPU portfolio,” says Jennifer Green, sr. global technical business development manager and commercial lead for Tolerathane TPU. “As a pioneer in thermoplastic polyurethane innovation, Lubrizol continues to meet the evolving needs of modern healthcare – delivering materials that enable innovative medical devices and developing the next-generation TPU for implantable medical devices.”