ISO 10993–Certified Stereolithography Resins Slash Device Prototyping Times

Stereolithography (SL) resins WaterShed XC 11122 and ProtoGen 18420 from DSM Somos reportedly are the only SL resins to meet ISO 10933 standards for use in medical device applications. The clear, water-resistant Watershed XC 11122 and white, ABS-like ProtoGen 18420 resins are certified to ISO 10993-5 (cytotoxicity), ISO 10993-10 (sensitisation) and ISO 10993-10 (irritation).

Achieving success in the global medical device marketplace, notes the press release, requires accelerated prototyping and testing of new products. Using conventional methods to produce prototypes can take several weeks. This time can be slashed by using SL technology, yet the technique has not been widely adopted by the med-tech industry, says DSM Somos Marketing Manager Vince Adams. The reason, he says, is because the materials that have been available until fairly recently were only suitable for limited exposure to the human body and not qualified for biomedical applications. “When we explain to med-tech companies that they can now use SL to develop a prototype in a few days and that it will be functional, not fragile, they’re pretty excited,” explains Adams.

The material is suitable for the fabrication of medical device prototypes, anatomical modelling, investment casting patterns (to produce implantable hip and knee joint replacements), hearing aids and surgical and dental drill guides.

Tags: DSM Somos, ProtoGen 18420, stereolithography, WaterShed XC 11122