Elastane™ 55D Biocompatible Polyether Urethane

Subcategory: Elastomer, TPE; Polyurethane, TP; Thermoplastic

Key Words: The Polymer Technology Group; Polyurethane; TPUR

Material Notes:
Excellent Mechanical Properties; Good Biocompatiblity and Biostability; Hydrolytic Stability; Low Temperature Resistance. Noncytotoxic and nonhemolytic.

Elastane™ polyetherurethane is a high-strength, aromatic thermoplastic with a chemical structure and properties similar to Pellethane® 2363 55D, manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company. For more than 25 years, Pellethane has been used to fabricate a large number of implantable devices, including pacemaker leads and cardiac prosthesis devices such as artificial hearts, heart valves, intraaortic balloons, and ventricular assist devices. The Polymer Technology Group developed Elastane in response to Dow's decision to limit Pellethane's use in cardiac prosthesis devices as well as in all medical devices implanted longer than 30 days.

Elastane™ polyetherurethane is a thermoplastic elastomer formed as the reaction product of a polyol, an aromatic diisocyanate, and a low molecular weight glycol used as a chain extender. Polytetramethylene oxide (PTMO) is reacted in the bulk with aromatic isocyanate, 4,4'-methylene bisphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), and chain extended with 1,4-butanediol.

Elastane can be melt processed by conventional extrusion or injection molding equipment. Rod, pellet, and tubing extruded from Elastane displays an excellent surface finish and low gel content. In addition, these materials are heat-sealable, and easily blended with fillers and post-formed.

Information provided by the manufacturer, Polymer Technology Group.