UV Adhesives for Medical Applications

Typical application areas for UV adhesives in the medical industry include the assembly of blood collection devices, endoscopes, hearing aids, IV sets, infusion pimps, catheters and diagnostic imaging equipment. The UV adhesive is often used to bond a stainless steel guide wire inside a polycarbonate luer or similar moulded part. 

Other applications include cannula/hub bonding, blood filters, tracheal tubes, colostomy bags and appliances, cuff and tube assemblies and inflators. 

Most of these devices are single-use and so will be sterilised by gamma radiation or by EtO and this will not usually affect the performance of UV adhesives. Some grades of UV adhesives will withstand repeated autoclave cycling (steam at 135 °C) but many grades will deteriorate after a number of cycles and so tests should always be conducted. 

Without UV, the products will skin over in about 10-15 minutes but will cure to a depth of up to 6 mm in 72 hours. The cure process is characterised by the release of by-product, which often carries a distinctive odour (e.g., vinegar). Neutral cure versions (alkoxy silicones) are also available. 

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