Medical grade silicone has plenty of uses, from being one of the key components that is used to make some prosthetics, to being utilized in life-giving devices such as pacemakers and shunts that can channel fluids from the brain to other parts of the body.
The varied ways that medical silicone is currently being used as a protective and preventive measure speaks to its versatility:
Using Medical Silicone in Surgical Matters
Although the experts aren’t clear on exactly how medical silicone helps to prevent scars from forming, they have observed that scar sheets that contain silicone have helped patients recovering from surgical procedures such as plastic surgery to help diminish the appearance and thickness of any resulting scars – possibly due to the moisture shield created.
Medical-grade silicone is also used in catheters, which can help establish prompt relief for the patient when the substance is used in devices that treat cysts by draining an abscess of excess fluid that can’t be accessed by other means.
When used to create feeding tubes, medical grade silicone acts as a well-constructed soft product to help ensure a pliable and correct fit to reduce the opportunity for leaks.
As a Personal Safety Agent
When speaking in terms of sexual health, medical silicone has been instrumental in the not only the creation of condoms, but as an ingredient in personal lubricants and moisturizers that are safe to use with latex materials and condoms themselves.
Women who choose to forgo typical menstruation products such as sanitary napkins or tampons can make use of menstrual cups designed from non-latex medical grade silicone. These cups provide a basis to gather the menstrual flow as opposed to having it absorbed into the feminine product materials. Proponents select this method of usage to help prevent the costs and risks associated with other products that may sap vaginal moisture or disturb the natural environment of the area.
Without the bleaches and fibers associated with tampons, menstrual cups are praised by users for helping to protect females prone to conditions that might be triggered by tampons – such as sensitive skin or eczema – and are given kudos for the positive effect upon the environment.
Other Medical Uses of Silicone
Lastly, medical silicone is used in a plethora of other arenas in the health field. Wherever there is a need for a high level of biocompatibility, silicone is often utilized, from bandage dressings to contact lenses and beyond.
While the most well known usage of silicone to the general public may have initially come as a result of the popularity of implants for cosmetic or corrective surgeries – such as breast implants, pectoral implants or testicle implants – the medicinal uses travel far and wide.
Medical grade silicone is also formulated for use with microfluidics, which is the field of study of small volumes of fluid handling, as well as in the development of seals, gaskets and shrouds.
Learn more about medical silicone to continue your study.
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Hi mariialv
Great info. on how silicone is used in the medical environment and in every days life.
Best
Daisy
March 14, 2014 - 5:44amThis Comment