Silicones are enabling the evolution of prosthetics and much more
16 October 2017: “Healthcare Landscape” is the third in an exciting four-part mini-documentary series that shows how silicones enable breakthroughs in sectors from healthcare to energy.
Prosthetics have come a long way since wooden legs and single-purpose hooks. Modern-day artificial limbs connect seamlessly with the user and allow them to continue with their life almost as before. The latest video (https://youtube.com/watch?v=b9XH1h8fysM) in a four-part series by CES-Silicones Europe looks at how silicones enable modern prosthetics and provide solutions to a wide range of challenges.
We spoke to Stamos+Braun Prothesenwerk (http://www.prothesenwerk.com/) in Dresden, Germany, a company providing high quality and extremely comfortable silicone prostheses, to find out why they use silicones in their products. Co-founder Alex Stamos emphasised the crucial importance of silicones: “There is nothing like it that adapts and works in synergy with the human body, and we are able to replicate soft tissue, cartilage – even bone.”
But there’s more to it than just prosthetics – silicones are used in a wide range of healthcare applications. They are resistant to bacteria, easy to sterilise and are excellent for sensitive applications such as respiratory tubing and infant care products. They are also used in pacemakers, scar recovery and syringes, among many other incredible applications.
Surprised?
Silicone producers across Europe have come together to launch a campaign that aims to raise the awareness of key industry players and policy-makers to the little known and impressive benefits of silicones. “When people think about silicones, window sealants or baking moulds often come to mind,” said Dr Pierre Germain, Secretary General of CES – Silicones Europe. “But silicones are used in a wide range of healthcare applications. They are resistant to bacteria, easy to sterilise and are excellent for sensitive applications such as respiratory tubing and infant care products.” Our campaign focuses on four sectors where silicones’ enabling properties make their most smart and surprising contributions – energy, construction, healthcare and technology.
About CES – Silicones Europe
We are a non-profit trade organisation representing all major producers of silicones, silanes and siloxanes in Europe. CES is a sector group of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), which is both the forum and voice of the European chemicals industry. We provide health, safety and environmental information on and are dedicated to the principles of Responsible Care. Visit silicones.eu to know more.
Media contact: CES Manager, Evelyne Frauman // Email: efr@cefic.be // www.silicones.eu // @SiliconesEU
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