TPU in healthcare - High-performance materials for catheters, flexible tubing and films

Texin® Rx & Desmopan® Rx: TPU solutions for modern medical challenges

In a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, medical innovations are advancing patient care in remarkable ways. From life-saving catheters to wearable wound dressings and flexible tubing systems, the performance and reliability of medical devices are essential. At the heart of these devices lies a critical enabler: the right material. Selecting a material that combines biocompatibility, flexibility, durability, and ease of processing is crucial for ensuring both patient safety and manufacturing efficiency.

Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPUs) are increasingly becoming the material of choice for healthcare solutions. Covestro, with decades of polymer science expertise, delivers advanced TPU solutions under the trusted brands Texin® and Desmopan®. These medical-grade TPUs, identified by the Rx suffix (RxS = ester grades, RxT = ether grades), are specifically designed for healthcare applications and meet the standards of quality and regulatory compliance.

Why TPU for healthcare applications?

TPUs offer a unique combination of properties ideally suited to medical use: high elasticity and tensile strength, transparency, resistance to chemicals and bodily fluids, and compatibility with multiple sterilization methods, including ethylene oxide, gamma irradiation, hot air (dry heat), E-beam, and hydrogen peroxide. They can be extruded into films, sheets, and tubes, or injection-moulded and blow-moulded into precise shapes and wall thicknesses. With Shore hardness ranging from soft and flexible to firm and rigid, TPUs enable customized solutions across a wide variety of applications – all without the need for plasticizers.

The medical TPU grades from Covestro are engineered to meet ISO 10993 testing standards and are supported by robust regulatory documentation. Their consistency and reliability make them a top choice for critical healthcare applications.

Catheters that perform – Flexible, kink-resistant, and safe for patient-critical use 

Catheters play a central role in diagnostics, fluid delivery, and minimally invasive procedures. Texin® and Desmopan® TPUs from Covestro can be used in a wide range of catheter types: urology catheters, intravenous (IV) catheters, gastric catheters, balloon catheters, and cardiovascular catheters.

These applications demand materials that are flexible, kink-resistant, and biocompatible. TPUs deliver high tensile strength and excellent elasticity, ensuring that catheters maintain lumen integrity even under repeated bending or stress. Texin® RxT ether-based grades, for example, provide superior hydrolysis resistance for devices exposed to moisture.

In addition, TPU’s processability allows for complex multi-lumen extrusion and seamless integration with other catheter components. This empowers durable, patient-safe catheters that perform reliably in challenging clinical environments.

Films – Breathable, elastic films for comfort and healing support

In modern wound care, materials must protect the injury site, promote healing, and allow for patient mobility. TPUs from Covestro support a range of applications including bandages, wound care dressings, drug delivery patches, films for ostomy bag liners, surgical drapes, and mattress protection.

TPU film portfolios offer an optimal balance of breathability and barrier protection. They are elastic, waterproof, and conform comfortably to the skin, making them ideal for dressings that need to move with the patient. These films allow moisture vapor transmission while blocking bacteria and viruses, creating a healthy environment for wound healing.

For drug delivery patches, TPU serves as a flexible backing or drug reservoir, providing excellent skin adhesion and chemical resistance. Desmopan® ester-based TPUs (RxS grades) deliver the transparency, softness, and performance required for high-quality wound care solutions.

Reliable tubing – Tough, clear, kink resistant tubing for consistent flow 

Medical-grade tubing is essential for transporting fluids such as medications, nutrients, and oxygen. TPUs from Covestro are widely used in fluid management systems including standard tubing and spiral tubing for infusion pumps, ventilators, and dialysis equipment.

TPU’s high clarity, chemical resistance, flexibility, and durability make it an ideal choice for these applications. Texin® and Desmopan® TPUs support smooth and consistent extrusion, even in thin-walled or complex geometries. They resist kinking, abrasion, and hydrolysis, maintaining flow integrity over time. Desmopan® TPU supports safe and efficient fluid delivery in high-performance healthcare equipment.

Through every application – catheters, wound care, and fluid management – Texin® and Desmopan® TPUs from Covestro demonstrate why TPU for medical applications is a top choice. These materials combine softness with strength, are fully sterilizable and compliant with biocompatibility standards (ISO 10993-1), and can be precisely processed into complex shapes. With a long track record as a partner to healthcare sector, Covestro provides not just high-quality medical grade TPU but also technical support and regulatory backing for projects. Backed by decades of technical expertise and rigorous quality standards, these versatile polymers enable next-generation innovations in patient care.