Medical grade silicones are simply silicones that have been tested for biocompatibility and can be used for medical applications. Si-Tech manufactures medical grade silicone for our healthcare industry clients. When designing medical devices and tools, materials that can be easily cleaned and sterilized without degrading or breaking down are key. Platinum-cured liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is the specific material we use in our healthcare products because it’s durable and has the ability to be disinfected in many different ways.

We used platinum-cured LSR as part of the manufacturing process in order to make various medical liquid injection molding products.

Sterilization and Options

Because they come into such close contact with the human body, medical devices must be removed of any bacteria from their surface. This should be done both before and after contact with the body in any way, including bodily fluids. Also, machine and device parts must remain clean and free from dust regularly.

It’s true that medical grade rubber molding does not allow for bacterial growth, but other materials used in the fabrication of technical devices and machines can breed bacteria easily. The entire device can be sterilized all at once without having to take it apart when putting the platinum-cured LSR components through the process.

Actually, studies have revealed that platinum-cured rubber molding can withstand many types of sterilization processes on a regular basis as necessary.

It’s important to know which sterilization options apply to device components when planning out the initial product design. Components must be able to withstand the sterilization procedure without compromising their capabilities or degrading in any way. Here are some options for cleaning:

• Rubbing Alcohol: This is one of the easiest and most common methods of sterilizing medical grade silicone. This will kill off any bacteria that may be present, as well as dust or particles.
• Autoclave: An autoclave uses steam to sterilize platinum-cured LSR, which can destroy microorganisms. The process can be used on anything from surgical instruments to medical implants to forceps.
• Gamma Radiation: This is also a common method under certain circumstances.
• Dry Heat: This will kill certain types of bacteria, for use in operating temperatures between -45 degrees F and 450 degrees F.

Uses for Medical Grade Silicone

Healthcare providers of all kinds, from hospitals and doctor’s offices to laboratories and urgent care facilities, need many machines, devices and tools to care for patients every single day. And all that equipment must be clean. Here’s what medical grade silicone can be used for:

• Rubber tubing
• Silicone rubber anti-slip handles for medical instruments
• Emergency defibrillator kits and cases
• Gaskets, plugs and covers
• Device control keypads

Contact Si-Tech for more information on medical grade silicone and how we can make a product specific to your healthcare needs.