As the market for wearable medical devices continues to show robust growth—it is expected to record a compound annual growth rate greater than 17% over the next five years and cross the $8.3 billion mark in 2019, according to some industry analysts—demand for appropriate materials also will increase. Bayer MaterialScience has introduced a polycarbonate blend that satisfies the unique requirements of wearable vital signs monitors, drug-delivery devices and related products at the MD&M West trade show and conference in Anaheim, CA, this week.

"Since wearables do not go in the body, biocompatibility requirements for these materials are limited," explains Bruce Fine, Market Segment Leader, Medical and Consumer Products, at Bayer MaterialScience. What matters in these types of applications is chemical resistance to body lotions, such as sunscreen, notes Fine. Makroblend M525 PC/polyester provides this property and meets the ISO 10993-5 and ISO 10993-10 test requirements for, respectively, cytotoxicity and irritation and sensitization.

Processors and manufacturers will appreciate the material's moldability, dimensional stability and color-matching capabilities, says Fine. "The material is compatible with thin-wall molding and long flow paths, and achieves good adhesion using such standard assembly methods as welding and adhesive bonding," he adds.

Makroblend M525 can be color matched to a range of colors to satisfy the multi-hued design requirements of wearable devices.

The largest medical manufacturing event in North America, the MD&M West exhibition and conference ends today at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.