Common applications of medical tubing include ventilators and IVs, but tubing also finds uses supporting access devices and as a delivery method for other devices. For example, tubing can be used to drive catheters in cardiac catheterizations to test for heart disease and locate narrowing blood vessels, measure pressure and oxygen levels in different parts of the heart, check pump functions, biopsy, diagnose congenital heart defects and identify heart valve issues using catheterizations.
Different uses can require different materials and highly specialized manufacturing methods. There are a variety of materials associated with medical tubing, all of which have varying physical parameters like temperature range, pressure capabilities and chemical resistance. Materials include PVC, silicone, TPE, fluoropolymers and more, according to Grand View Research.
Varying materials are needed for things like bulk disposable tubing, drug delivery systems, catheters, biopharmaceutical laboratory equipment and more.
The medical tubing market is expected to be worth $11.9 billion within the next five years, according to an analysis from Grand View Research.
