Ingredients and Characteristics of Medical Silicone

Medical-grade silicone is a widely used biomaterial in cosmetic surgery, which comes in various forms such as liquid silicone oil, gel-like silicone, foam silicone sponge, and elastic solid silicone rubber. Among them, the solid silicone rubber is the most commonly used. Silicone rubber has good biocompatibility, is non-irritating, non-toxic, non-allergenic, and causes minimal immune reaction, and has good physical and chemical properties. It maintains its elasticity, softness, and stability when in contact with body fluids and tissues, can withstand high temperatures, and can be disinfected. It is easy to process and shape, making it convenient to use and carve.

Composition of medical silicone rubber

Silicone rubber belongs to synthetic rubber and its chemical name is poly methyl vinyl silicone. It is formed by polymerization of dimethylsiloxane monomer and other organic silicon monomers under acid or alkaline catalysts, with a relative molecular weight usually between 400,000 to 500,000.

Characteristics of medical silicone

Solid medical silicone rubber can replace bones or cartilage as tissue filling or support materials, making it possible to create artificial joints or tendons to repair limb joint or tendon defects. It is also used in cosmetic materials to repair deformities and defects in the face, ears, nose, and other areas.

Foam medical silicone rubber produced by professional medical grade silicone manufacturers can replace human adipose tissue in repairing subcutaneous tissue defects and deformities, such as hemifacial atrophy.

Thin film medical silicone rubber can be used as a substitute for tendon sheaths, and is also used to create covering plates for external intestinal fistulas. This type of medical rubber is used to block intestinal fistulas from leaking and to maintain intestinal nutrition, minimizing complications and simplifying the treatment of intestinal fistulas.

Liquid medical silicone rubber, also known as silicone oil, is a low-viscosity transparent liquid. It is injected into the concave and deformed area of the craniofacial region using a coarse injection needle for easy molding. It does not require hospitalization and can be treated on an outpatient basis. In addition, medical silicone rubber is used to make ventricular shunts to treat hydrocephalus and spherical artificial heart valve leaflets to replace damaged mitral valve leaflets. Medical silicone rubber contraceptive rings are safe, convenient, reliable, and long-lasting. Silicone rubber venous catheters, gastric tubes, and urethral catheters cause less damage and irritation, and can be inserted into the relevant parts of the human body for a long time. They have been widely used in clinical practice.

Medical silicone is used for body implants, transmission of corrosive substances, elastic steam transport, acid processing, hot oil circulation, solution treatment, high-temperature air, and monomer transport in the plastic manufacturing industry. Medical-grade silicone, which has higher standards than food-grade silicone, is now widely used in the manufacture of baby bottles and nipples.