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Manufacturers used several injection moulding techniques to create medical device parts suited to a range of different uses. Much like consumer products, medical Mold device technology is becoming smaller as manufacturing processes become more advanced, and injection moulding has allowed the size of parts to keep pace with this demand for smaller devices. According to a recent report from market insight firm 360 Research Reports, the global market for plastic injection moulding for medical devices is projected to reach over $42bn by 2026, up from $31.6bn in 2020. But there are several techniques used by companies that produce these parts for medical devices, as well as specific materials better suited to some methods than others, like metals and composites.

From thin wall moulding with liquid crystal polymers (LCP) to the more commonly known 3D printing technique, we look at five types of injection moulding technology used to manufacture medical devices.

4. Metal injection moulding

Although traditional injection moulding and even gas injection moulding have numerous uses in medical device manufacturing – sometimes the small size coupled with both manoeuvrability and strong mechanical properties necessitates the use of metal over plastic.

In metal injection moulding, a powder made from the desired mix of metals is created using atomisation technology, and this powder is made into a pellet-like form called feedstock, which includes a plastic binding agent to make the substance easier to mould during the injection process. Once the mixture is injected, the binder is removed using solvent, thermal furnaces, a catalytic process, or a combination of methods, leaving only the metal and resulting in close to 100% density.

5. Liquid silicone injection moulding

While surface-borne infection is a general concern in hospitals, some medical devices have a greater need to remain hygienic than others, like tubes and respiratory masks. Liquid silicone injection moulding is used for devices like these because of the chemical resistance of the rubber-like substance produced using this method, as well as the use of a clean production room so that no ambient air makes contact with the mould and lets dust and moisture into the mixture as it sets.

Another benefit is that silicone is biologically inert, meaning it doesn't react with biological tissue and can be implanted safely in the body. The basic raw material for silicone rubber is sand, or silicon dioxide, which is processed into pure silicon and reacted with methyl chloride, after which a range of processing steps are used depending on the properties desired for the silicone.

In short, medical mold has become famous and widely used. Many products like IV Set Mold, Syringe Mold, Hypodermic Needle Mold, Blood Collection Mold, Blood Tubing Set Mold, Lab Equipment Mold, etc. become commonly used.