Lubrizol launches TPU for medical implants

Lubrizol has announced the launch of Tolerathane TPU, a new medical-grade material engineered to meet the evolving demands of implantable medical devices. Compared to other TPU materials, Tolerathane TPU offers unparalleled tolerance to harsh biological conditions while maintaining superior softness, mechanical resilience, and seamless integration into standard thermoplastics processing compared to currently available TPU materials.

Designed to help medical device OEMs reimagine what’s possible for implanted technologies, the thermoplastic nature and polyurethane mechanical properties of Tolerathane TPU open new possibilities for advanced device design for a range of applications. The product’s performance attributes closely align with the technical requirements of neuromodulation & cardiac leads, structural heart implants, percutaneous catheters and cables, and implanted textiles.

The material delivers improved biostability, offering greater resistance to oxidative and hydrolytic degradation than existing alternatives. It achieves this enhanced durability even at very low durometers, maintaining the softness required for demanding medical applications without compromising mechanical strength. The TPU can be processed using standard thermoplastic methods, making it compatible with established manufacturing routes while allowing formulations to be tailored for specific performance needs. As a thermoplastic alternative to silicone, it also supports thinner wall designs, giving device manufacturers greater flexibility and helping enable further miniaturisation of implantable medical technologies.

“Lubrizol brings decades of foundational expertise to its specialized medical-grade TPU portfolio,” said Jennifer Green, senior global technical business development manager and commercial lead for Tolerathane TPU. “As a pioneer in thermoplastic polyurethane innovation, Lubrizol continues to meet the evolving needs of modern healthcare—delivering materials that enable innovative medical devices and developing the next-generation TPU for implantable medical devices.”

Tolerathane TPU debuts at MD&M West 2026, North America’s largest medical design and manufacturing event, where Lubrizol showcases its latest innovations in medical-grade materials. Speak directly with technical experts about its potential to transform device design by visiting Booth 2301.

Photo: new thermoplastic polyurethane delivers enhanced biostability, softness, and design flexibility for implantable medical device applications (© Lubrizol)

Lubrizol