Medical device manufacturers are facing increasing pressure when selecting materials for fluid management applications. Regulatory scrutiny of plasticizers continues to evolve globally, supply chains remain vulnerable to disruption, sustainability questions are influencing material decisions, and development teams are expected to bring new products to market faster than ever. As organizations evaluate alternatives to legacy materials, engineers and sourcing professionals must balance performance, biocompatibility, manufacturability, sterilization requirements, compliance, and cost without introducing unnecessary risk into the design process.
This webinar will provide a practical overview of today's medical tubing materials landscape, with a focus on PVC and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) used in fluid management, drug delivery, and patient-contact applications. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the key material properties that influence product performance, including clarity, flexibility, kink resistance, pump performance, sterilization compatibility, extractables and leachables considerations, and processing requirements. Real-world application examples will be used to illustrate how material choices influence both product performance and development timelines.
Beyond technical performance, material selection decisions have long-term implications for supply continuity, qualification costs, and commercial success. Participants will learn how leading medical device manufacturers evaluate tradeoffs between PVC and TPE platforms, how to mitigate risk associated with material changes, and how standardized material platforms can reduce development effort while supporting global regulatory and sourcing objectives. The session will also examine current market trends driving increased interest in non-DEHP PVC formulations and next-generation medical TPE materials.
Key Learning Objectives:
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- Understand the current regulatory and market forces influencing medical tubing material selection.
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- Compare the advantages and limitations of PVC and TPE materials across key fluid management applications.
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- Learn how material selection impacts device performance, manufacturing processes, compliance requirements, and total cost.
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- Identify strategies for reducing supply chain and qualification risk through standardized material platforms.
Whether you are developing a new medical device, managing supplier strategies, or evaluating future material platforms for your organization, this webinar will provide practical insights that can be immediately applied to your projects. Join Foster and Geon for an educational discussion on the future of medical tubing materials and discover how a strategic approach to material selection can improve performance, accelerate development, and reduce supply chain risk. Register today to reserve your spot.
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