Carbon adds medical-grade PU for 3D printing

Redwood City, California – Carbon has introduced its first medical-grade material for 3D printing, MPU 100. The company says the polyurethane can be used for components of medical systems, devices that contact the skin or drug products, and single-use medical devices.

MPU 100 is a white polymer resin that is claimed to provide an ‘unparalleled combination of mechanical strength, biocompatibility and sterilisability’. Compatible with ethylene oxide, e-beam, and gamma sterilisation methods, as well as common disinfectants, it maintains its biocompatibility after sterilisation.

According to Carbon, MPU 100 allows end-use parts such as complex adaptors for diagnostic analysis systems, textured instrument handles, single-use instruments and bioprocessing components to be 3D-printed. It claims that when combined with its Digital Light Synthesis technology, it will allow product development pathways for critical devices and components to be accelerated.

‘With MPU 100, Carbon is enabling new capabilities for medical device manufacturers by providing the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, sterilisation compatibility, and chemical resistance to produce safe and reliable end-use products for patients,’ said Jason Rolland, vice president of materials at Carbon.

‘The life sciences and medical device industries show enormous promise for using 3D printing for production at scale, and we will continue to prioritise the development of next-generation materials in this segment.’