The Benefits of Using Silicone Medical Products in Training

Silicone is a rubber-like material composed of synthetic polymers. It is a synthetic rubber and plastic hybrid used for multiple purposes and uses. Silicone materials are used to make all kinds of products, including cooking utensils, electrical insulation, thermal insulation, lubricants, contraceptives, adhesives, sealants, and medical products.

Various Medical Grade Silicones

Because of their resilience and flexibility, numerous medical products are made of silicone material. However, not all silicone materials are the same when making medical products. Variations of silicone can make different kinds of medical products.

Here is an overview of the various types of medical-grade silicone materials in medical products:

Medical Silicone Fluids

Medical-grade silicone fluids are powerful lubricants for lubricating rubber or plastic medical instruments and devices.

Silicone High Consistency Rubber

 Silicone high-intensity rubber is a versatile, thermal-resistant, flexible material used to make numerous medical devices, such as extruded tubing, balloon catheters, gaskets, molded parts, cables, O-rings, and connectors.

Liquid Silicone Rubber

Medical-grade liquid silicone rubber is invaluable for making all kinds of medical devices and components because it is used for injection molding. Liquid silicone rubber simplifies making medical gaskets, antibacterial door knob covers, dental instruments, sterilization tray components, catheter components, and more.

Room Temperature Vulcanizing Silicone

Room-temperature vulcanizing silicone hardens when exposed to hot temperatures. It is perfect for making durable synthetic medical components, especially biocompatible soft parts. Some examples include medical tapes, wearables, and orthopedics.

Silicone Medical Adhesives

Silicone medical adhesives have an ultra-strong bonding component suitable for manufacturing big and small medical devices.

Silicone Gels

Medical-grade silicone gel is a soft elastomer material often used to make breast implants and other cushion-based medical parts. It can also be sufficient as a soft adhesive applied over scar tissue to relieve discomfort and itching.

The Top 8 Benefits of Using Silicone Medical Products in Training

Healthcare manufacturers and providers worldwide purchase roughly 39,000 tons of silicone products annually. Medical-grade silicone is viable in several medical technologies and accessories across a wide range of segments of the medical sector.

For this reason, incorporating silicone medical products into your training facility will allow your medical students to become more familiar with them before entering a real-world medical setting.

Below are the top 8 reasons why silicone products are beneficial for medical training scenarios.

1) Temperature Resistance

Silicone medical products offer high-temperature resistance. Let your students witness the extreme temperatures these products can withstand so they better understand their range of temperature resiliency.

Silicone can withstand temperatures of up to 600°F. If your medical training involves anything to do with hot temperatures, such as electron beams or dry heat, you will want to have silicone-based products. They can provide ultimate protection and training for your students by preventing them from getting burned.

2) Wound Care

Teaching how to care for wounds is a lesson every medical student must know. Silicone is one of the best materials for wound care-related medical products, such as bandage and skin applications. Its flexibility and durability make silicon applications comfortable to wear while controlling bleeding and preventing infections.

3) Silicone Skin Simulations

Most medical schools use human-like dummies to help medical students train in administering CPR, wound care, surgery, and other medical treatments. Silicone does a great job of simulating the look and feel of human skin because of its softness, durability, and flexibility.

Therefore, when medical students train to treat patients on or through the skin, silicone-based skin helps to create a realistic simulation of the experience in a medical setting. New anatomical simulations are made all the time using silicone. The latest models are the most realistic you have ever seen.

4) Chemical Resistance

Medicine requires doctors and nurses to mix chemicals and liquid-based solutions frequently. Some chemicals are more hazardous to people than others. You’ll want your medical students to stay safe by avoiding direct contact with their skin and the dangerous chemicals they use during their medical training. These chemicals may include ammonia, isopropyl alcohol, and acid.

Silicone has chemical-resistant properties to shield the skin from dangerous chemicals. Medical accessories like silicone-based gloves and goggles will ensure your medical students don’t injure themselves as they learn how to handle these chemicals for medical purposes.

5) Non-Conductive Properties

Silicone contains non-conductive properties that prevent the conduction of electricity due to its ability to block the free flow of electrons. That is why a lot of electronic medical-grade devices and equipment contain components made of silicone. It can insulate your students and other components from electrical charges that could cause injury or damage.

6) Satisfy High Safety and Quality Standards

Specific laws and accredited medical training regulators have set strict standards on the quality and safety of medical products in training facilities nationwide. Medical schools failing to live up to these standards could lose their accreditations and potentially face fines and penalties. Plus, if a student gets hurt using a medical product, they could have grounds to sue the school for their injury.

Silicone-based medical products offer maximum protection and resistance against heat, electricity, chemicals, and other forms of impact. That is why silicone medical products uphold strict quality and safety standards to ensure your medical school maintains its accreditation and compliance with the law.

7) Maintain Cleanliness and Hygiene

Any professional medical training facility must maintain the highest levels of cleanliness and good hygiene. Since silicone is a non-porous material, it is easier to wipe away messes and disinfect surfaces to uphold strict hygiene standards. Most medical pads and wipes contain silicone elements for this reason.

8) Conforms to Different Body Types

One of the most stressful things a medical student can experience is applying warmers, pads, and bandages that don’t fit the patient’s body type. Fortunately, your medical students won’t have that problem if they use silicone medical product applications because silicone has incredible conformability and flexibility properties.

Silicone can be applied to any body type comfortably and flawlessly. It will make the patients feel better and allow the medical students to gain more confidence in their training. It is a win-win solution for everybody in a medical training simulation.

Buy Medical-Grade Silicone Products for Your Training Facility

Pristine Medical is the premier supplier of high-quality medical-grade silicone products for medical training facilities worldwide. Some popular silicone-based medical products include medical tape, catheters, channel drains, bulb reservoirs, feeding tubes, syringes, and more. Add any of these essential medical-grade silicone products to your training facility to create a safe and effective learning environment for your students.