What today's medical devices need from polyurethanes

By Luna Imperiali, PhD Global Application Sr. Manager, Biomedical Polymeric Solutions

Over the past several years, I've had the opportunity to work with device developers across cardiovascular, orthopedic, and minimally invasive applications. While the technologies are different, many of the material challenges are surprisingly similar: designing smaller devices, achieving longer-term performance, and creating solutions that deliver better outcomes for patients.

Those conversations have reinforced a simple reality—polyurethanes are no longer being evaluated solely on their traditional strengths. Today's medical devices need materials that can do more, adapt to increasingly complex requirements, and support innovation from concept through commercialization.

This evolution is changing how we think about material selection, development, and collaboration—and it's opening new possibilities for what polyurethanes can help achieve in the next generation of medical technology. 

The Performance Bar Has Moved

In conversations with device engineers, one challenge comes up repeatedly: delivering long-term performance as devices become smaller and more complex. Biostability remains essential, but maintaining it becomes increasingly difficult as geometries shrink and performance expectations grow. A material that performs well in one application may behave very differently at thinner dimensions and under millions of loading cycles. 

Miniaturization doesn't just reduce size—it increases demand on the material. Today's polyurethanes must balance durability, flexibility, and toughness within tighter design constraints than ever before.  

Beyond Bulk Properties: The Rise of Application-Specific Functionality

What I'm seeing across the industry is a shift away from one-size-fits-all materials. Device developers are increasingly looking beyond traditional material properties and asking how a material can help solve application-specific challenges. 

For blood-contacting devices, that may mean hemocompatibility. In orthopedics, lubricity and surface compliance can impact performance and patient comfort. In tissue-interfacing applications, materials may need to actively support biological interaction. As a result, material selection has become a much more strategic decision that extends beyond mechanical performance alone. 

Collaboration as a Design Tool

The most successful device programs I've worked on don't start with a datasheet—they start with a conversation. As device requirements become more complex, collaboration between device manufacturers and material suppliers becomes increasingly important. 

Whether the challenge involves a heart valve, delivery system, or another advanced application, finding the right solution often requires evaluating manufacturing approaches, testing performance, and sharing expertise throughout development. In my experience, that early collaboration helps reduce risk and creates a smoother path toward commercialization.  

The Next Frontier: Functional and Resorbable Polyurethanes

Looking ahead, I see significant opportunities in two areas: functional polyurethanes and resorbable polyurethanes. 

Functional materials with antimicrobial, bioactive, or tissue-supporting properties have the potential to help devices perform more effectively in challenging biological environments. At the same time, resorbable polyurethanes are opening new possibilities for applications where temporary support followed by safe degradation can improve long-term patient outcomes.  

What This Means for R&D Teams

For R&D teams developing the next generation of minimally invasive, implantable, cardiovascular, drug-eluting, and smart medical devices, material decisions deserve attention early in the design process. 

The organizations that see materials as a strategic advantage—not simply a component selection exercise—will be best positioned to innovate. As devices continue to evolve, so will the demands placed on polyurethanes. It's an exciting time to be working at the intersection of materials science and medical technology, where the right partnership can ultimately help bring better solutions to patients.

Looking Ahead

The medical devices being developed today are pushing the boundaries of what's possible—and materials must evolve alongside them. From supporting device miniaturization and long-term performance to enabling entirely new functionalities, polyurethanes are playing an increasingly important role in helping innovators bring ideas from concept to reality.

What excites me most is that we're only beginning to unlock the potential of these materials. The most successful innovations will come from a combination of advanced material science, deep application understanding, and close collaboration across the value chain.

As the industry continues to pursue better outcomes for patients, I believe polyurethanes will remain at the center of some of medtech's most exciting advancements—not simply as materials, but as enablers of the next generation of healthcare solutions.