How to Select the Best Medical Seals for Ventilators

The ongoing COVID pandemic has created a huge demand for vital medical equipment like ventilators. For each healthcare device, a rubber seal can make or break the application. In some cases, it could be the difference between life and death as well. This is why no compromises can be made when it comes to choosing the right seal is important.

Let us look at how to select the appropriate medical seal for ventilator applications

 Medical Seals Need to be Compatible with Their Environment

Ventilators are used to supply pure oxygen or circulated room air, or a ratio of both to patients who have difficulty breathing. The air passing through the ventilator comes in direct contact with the patient and the seal.

Medical seals that are applied to ventilators should be resistant to pure oxygen and excessive air exposure. They should withstand cracking or hardening for a long duration of time. Hence, medical seals must not contain volatile substances. The reason being, it could evaporate out of the seal and enter the patient’s lungs.

Each medical grade seal must have the following standards:

• ISO 10993
• USP Class VI (USP part 8)
• Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMP) Standards
• Clean Room Standards

At Harkesh Rubber, each medical seal complies with the above-mentioned standards. The heightened quality of our seals offers complete assurance and ensures the ventilators function properly to keep the patients safe.

The Best Materials Recommended for Ventilators

When it comes to choosing a seal, material selection is key. The seal must not fail under pressure and should be able to withstand critical environments. What’s more, the seal must be biologically compatible with the patients and the material it is sealing against. Listed below are the best materials for ventilator applications.

1) Medical Grade Silicone

This elastomer is self-lubricating and inert. This means it doesn’t promote the growth of microbial. It also fulfills ISO 10993 and class VI standard requirements. Moreover, it can withstand sterilization with steam, gamma and is resistant to cleaning agents that are used in medical applications.

2) Medical Ethylene Propylene (EPDM)

EPDM is another popular medical-grade elastomer that can resist many solvents and acids. It is compatible with every kind of silicone-based lubrication fluid that may be applied to the seal. Typically, EPDM is used for oxygen valves and o-rings that may be applied to ventilators. It is also ideal for insulin pumps, and lip seals for other medical applications.

During such critical times, medical seals need to perform and withstand extreme pressures. Harkesh Rubber is proud to offer quality, trust medical sealing solutions for ventilators and other important medical applications. If you have any more queries, feel free to get in touch with us today, and our team of experts will guide you through every step of the way!