MATERIALS

Medical Murray has extensive education and experience in selecting materials for disposable and implant medical devices.  The three key aspects to consider in the selection process are:

• Required performance characteristics

• Documented biocompatibility of material

• Willingness of supplier to sell raw material for the application

Scope of Our Materials Experience:

• Plastics:polyolefins, thermoplastic polyurethanes, silicone rubber, polyamides, polyimide, peek, PC, ABS, PET

• Metals: Nitinol, stainless steel, titanium, tungsten, cobalt-chromium

• Adhesives: UV cure, epoxy, Cyanoacrylate

• Coatings: parylene, metallic, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, silicone

• Bioabsorbable polymers

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Required Performance

Most complex medical products require several different materials to meet the performance demanded of the device.  Critical issues we face in development include:

• Stiffness, hardness, strength – the ability of catheters to bend around tight curves in the human anatomy with out kinking or breaking

• Friction – ease of moving one component inside or on another component

• Bonding & joining – the ability to bond one part to another

• Processing – the ability of the material to be made into the forms required. For example: fine wire filament, tubing, molded parts, tapered tips, machined parts

• Compatibility with selected sterilization method

Biocompability

All the materials used by Medical Murray require lot traceability by the manufacturer.  There are significant cost advantages to FDA filing when the materials have Class VI ratings and FDA files for them.  Many materials with additives for low friction, processing and ease of machining will not meet the biocompatibility requirements. Medical Murray understands these complex issues and uses materials known for their biocompatibility to avoid problems

Willingness of Supplier to Sell  the Material

The relatively low volume of material used for any given medical device combined with liability issues results in many materials manufacturers being unwilling to sell the materials for medical devices, especially implants. Medical Murray has the required experience to know which materials can be used in various types of devices, and has build long-standing relationships with vendors who provide these materials. This avoids potential complications with delays when it isn’t considered early in the development process.