Proprietary silicone formulations let medical designers specify overmolding it onto a range of substrates including stainless steel, aluminum, Radel, and Peek. Radel, a durable plastic, has high impact and chemical resistance. It tolerates hundreds of sterilizations without degradation. And Peek is a high-temperature resistant thermoplastic unaffected by common solvents. What's more, these surfaces can range from extremely lubricious to tacky.

A lubricious surface, for example, can simplify inserting a medical instrument into a body cavity while a slightly tacky surface improves the grip on surgical instruments for tactile sensitivity and better control. Other formulations are said to impart better impact resistance than standard materials, and all are auto-clavable.

The silicone formulations, from Minnesota Rubber and QMR Plastics, Minneapolis (mnrubber.com), add features that are said to be previously difficult or impossible to incorporate in medical products.

The company, an EN ISO 13485:2003 certified supplier, says other design plusses include micro to macro molding capabilities from miniature components to large parts, a wide range of durometers, custom colors, and conductive or insulated materials. Many of the formulations are USP Class 6 and ISO 10993 implantable grade materials.