Whitepapers - Drug Delivery
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resources like a Terms & Definitions document and an Adhesive / Primer study. While some papers are
broad in scope, others are industry specific. Papers are typically added monthly. Registering with
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For further reading, please see our Technical Resources section.
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Jul 10, 2012
The Effect of Infrared Spot Curing on the Cure Times of Silicone Materials for the Healthcare Industry
Utilized in a wide variety of adhesion applications — from urinary catheters to cardiac pacemakers — one-part condensation-cure adhesives have traditionally been the most commonly used silicone adhesives in the healthcare industry. Despite their acclaimed and proven effectiveness, the downside to using these adhesive systems is their long cure time...
Utilized in a wide variety of adhesion applications — from urinary catheters to cardiac pacemakers — one-part condensation-cure adhesives have traditionally been the most commonly used silicone adhesives in the healthcare industry. Despite their acclaimed and proven effectiveness, the downside to using these adhesive systems is their long cure time (many hours or even days at room temperature) and inability to be accelerated with heat. Alternatively, using a two-part, addition-cure silicone adhesive — also known as a fast-cure adhesive — is often helpful or even necessary, depending on the application at hand.
An adhesive is considered a fast-cure adhesive if it fully cures in less than 10 minutes using heat, or if it partially cures for handling in less than five minutes and fully cures at room temperature in eight hours. Fast cures as defined here are induced by bringing the adhesive into contact with heat, usually via an air-circulating oven.
Jan 9, 2012
Increasing Hair Manageability Using Silicone for Moisture Control
When considering hair, moisture is a double-edge sword. Everyone strives to achieve healthy looking, moisturized hair; shiny and strong. Dry hair, on the other hand, is associated with damage and brittleness. Why is it then that a humid or rainy day — full of moisture in the air — concerns...
When considering hair, moisture is a double-edge sword. Everyone strives to achieve healthy looking, moisturized hair; shiny and strong. Dry hair, on the other hand, is associated with damage and brittleness. Why is it then that a humid or rainy day — full of moisture in the air — concerns so many? To keep hair manageable, moisture must be controlled. A study was recently conducted to determine the best silicone for moisture control. With a general knowledge of silicone, the anatomy of hair and the results uncovered during the study, determining methods to treat hair to increase manageability becomes easier to establish.
Dec 1, 2009
Understanding the Role of Silicones in Controlled Release Applications
Silicones possess certain dynamic characteristics which allow them to be compounded in with a host of actives. These same unique characteristics also allow them to release those actives from a molded/extruded device in a predictable way – whether that application is for transdermal, transmucosal, short or long-term human implantation.
Silicones possess certain dynamic characteristics which allow them to be compounded in with a host of actives. These same unique characteristics also allow them to release those actives from a molded/extruded device in a predictable way – whether that application is for transdermal, transmucosal, short or long-term human implantation. This article will highlight key attributes of certain silicones as well as key considerations when selecting a silicone.
Jan 1, 2009
Silicones for Drug Delivery Combination Devices: Interview with Brian Nash
Recently, NuSil launched a comprehensive line of silicone materials and services intended specifically for use in drug delivery combination medical device applications. Drug Delivery Technology recently sat down with Brian Nash, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at NuSil Technology, for an exclusive interview to discuss how they are providing...
Recently, NuSil launched a comprehensive line of silicone materials and services intended specifically for use in drug delivery combination medical device applications. Drug Delivery Technology recently sat down with Brian Nash, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at NuSil Technology, for an exclusive interview to discuss how they are providing solutions and meeting the challenges in this competitive and global marketplace.
Oct 9, 2008
Adding Color to Medical Devices
Medical device companies continue to support the healthcare community by distinguishing models, sizes and improving the aesthetics of the device with the addition of color. Color in medical devices offers a number of benefits in marketing the device. Adding color can help differentiate the product in a competitive marketplace, and...
Medical device companies continue to support the healthcare community by distinguishing models, sizes and improving the aesthetics of the device with the addition of color. Color in medical devices offers a number of benefits in marketing the device. Adding color can help differentiate the product in a competitive marketplace, and the addition of corporate colors can also create a strong tie to the company's brand.
Jun 28, 2007
Processing Silicone Polymers: A Foundation for Creating Consistent Silicone Systems
The unique chemistry of silicone polymers are customizable to create a variety of material types with a specific properties. The polymer properties have proved useful in a number of applications, including drug delivery. Silicone polymers represent the basis of all silicone systems, adhesives, gels, elastomers, and resins. Silicone polymers are...
The unique chemistry of silicone polymers are customizable to create a variety of material types with a specific properties. The polymer properties have proved useful in a number of applications, including drug delivery. Silicone polymers represent the basis of all silicone systems, adhesives, gels, elastomers, and resins. Silicone polymers are created via acid or base catalyzed polymerizations of silicone cyclics and endblocking silicone molecules. The polymerization process is an equilibrium reaction that yields both starting materials and a polymer distribution of varying molecular weight. The subsequent processing and testing of these polymers is critical to their performance in silicone systems. Lack of proper processing may lead to variable physical properties in elastomer systems. These variations may, in turn, affect the system’s function in drug delivery systems, influencing factors like drug permeation rates. The paper critically evaluates the polymerization process and subsequent purification processes that are critical to producing consistent silicone systems.
Jun 25, 2004
Drug Delivery Market Summary
Silicones have been cited as materials regularly used in drug delivery devices. These drug delivery devices incorporating silicones primarily fall into three major categories:
- Implanted delivery devices
- Mucosal delivery devices
- Transdermal delivery devices
Implanted drug delivery devices include spinal treatment devices, ocular treatment devices and contraceptive devices. These delivery configurations typical utilize silicone...
Silicones have been cited as materials regularly used in drug delivery devices. These drug delivery devices incorporating silicones primarily fall into three major categories:
- Implanted delivery devices
- Mucosal delivery devices
- Transdermal delivery devices
Implanted drug delivery devices include spinal treatment devices, ocular treatment devices and contraceptive devices. These delivery configurations typical utilize silicone tubing or molded configurations. The silicone is used to either hold or precisely deliver the drug to a specific location. Liquid silicone rubbers or high consistency silicone rubbers can be molded into precise configurations required by these applications. Transmucosal drug delivery devices can include silicone elastomer systems with the drug incorporated into the silicone matrix. After the device is placed in contact with the mucosal membrane, the drug elutes from the device at a controlled rate. A non-medicated sheath is cited (References 12,11,7) as a means to control the initial burst of drug from the device. Drugs can be incorporated into liquid silicone rubbers and molded into various configurations. Transdermal delivery devices are primarily skin patches in configuration. The drug may be incorporated directly into the adhesive of the patch or may exist as a separate layer. Silicone pressure sensitive adhesives have been used in these applications because of the low skin sensitization, oxygen and drug permeability properties they offer. Silicone materials used in medical device configurations can also be treated with drug infused coatings.
Jun 25, 2004
Drug Delivery Market Summary
Silicones have been cited as materials regularly used in drug delivery devices. These drug delivery devices incorporating silicones primarily fall into three major categories:
- Implanted delivery devices
- Mucosal delivery devices
- Transdermal delivery devices
Implanted drug delivery devices include spinal treatment devices, ocular treatment devices and contraceptive devices. These delivery configurations typical utilize silicone...
Silicones have been cited as materials regularly used in drug delivery devices. These drug delivery devices incorporating silicones primarily fall into three major categories:
- Implanted delivery devices
- Mucosal delivery devices
- Transdermal delivery devices
Implanted drug delivery devices include spinal treatment devices, ocular treatment devices and contraceptive devices. These delivery configurations typical utilize silicone tubing or molded configurations. The silicone is used to either hold or precisely deliver the drug to a specific location. Liquid silicone rubbers or high consistency silicone rubbers can be molded into precise configurations required by these applications. Transmucosal drug delivery devices can include silicone elastomer systems with the drug incorporated into the silicone matrix. After the device is placed in contact with the mucosal membrane, the drug elutes from the device at a controlled rate. A non-medicated sheath is cited (References 12,11,7) as a means to control the initial burst of drug from the device. Drugs can be incorporated into liquid silicone rubbers and molded into various configurations. Transdermal delivery devices are primarily skin patches in configuration. The drug may be incorporated directly into the adhesive of the patch or may exist as a separate layer. Silicone pressure sensitive adhesives have been used in these applications because of the low skin sensitization, oxygen and drug permeability properties they offer. Silicone materials used in medical device configurations can also be treated with drug infused coatings.
Jun 14, 2004
Silicones as a Material of Choice for Drug Delivery Applications
This paper will investigate the benefits of using silicone in drug delivery applications. This investigation first provides an overview of how versatile of a material silicone can be to the drug delivery industry. An examination of the chemistry of silicone, the multiple material composition options and various cure chemistries demonstrates...
This paper will investigate the benefits of using silicone in drug delivery applications. This investigation first provides an overview of how versatile of a material silicone can be to the drug delivery industry. An examination of the chemistry of silicone, the multiple material composition options and various cure chemistries demonstrates how silicone can be tailored to fit specific drug delivery applications. Then, a general investigation of the way a silicone interacts with a drug, in regards to compatibility and potential interactions, exhibits silicone’s ability to deliver pharmaceutical agents. The paper will also review factors that have made silicones the materials of choice in the medical device industry, particularly for long-term implantable devices. Examples of applications demonstrate the reasons for choosing silicone over a different material. The paper will finish with real world examples of current drug delivery applications incorporating a silicone, such as hormone replacement therapies, to manifest the benefits of using silicone in drug delivery applications.
Jun 14, 2004
Silicones as a Material of Choice for Drug Delivery Applications
This paper will investigate the benefits of using silicone in drug delivery applications. This investigation first provides an overview of how versatile of a material silicone can be to the drug delivery industry. An examination of the chemistry of silicone, the multiple material composition options and various cure chemistries demonstrates...
This paper will investigate the benefits of using silicone in drug delivery applications. This investigation first provides an overview of how versatile of a material silicone can be to the drug delivery industry. An examination of the chemistry of silicone, the multiple material composition options and various cure chemistries demonstrates how silicone can be tailored to fit specific drug delivery applications. Then, a general investigation of the way a silicone interacts with a drug, in regards to compatibility and potential interactions, exhibits silicone’s ability to deliver pharmaceutical agents. The paper will also review factors that have made silicones the materials of choice in the medical device industry, particularly for long-term implantable devices. Examples of applications demonstrate the reasons for choosing silicone over a different material. The paper will finish with real world examples of current drug delivery applications incorporating a silicone, such as hormone replacement therapies, to manifest the benefits of using silicone in drug delivery applications.