Benefits of PTFE Tubing for Medical Applications

PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene (also commonly referred to by the trade name Teflon™), is widely used in the healthcare industry. The benefits of PTFE Tubing are numerous, such as characterized by low coefficient of friction, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and biocompatibility. These make it a top material choice for medical applications requiring lubricity, movement of medical devices through the body, and fluid, drug, or gas transfer.

Tubing is one of the most common medical devices made from polytetrafluoroethylene. PTFE tubes create a low-friction, smooth inner pathway. These tubings are used to reduce turbulence and drag as fluids or drugs pass through as well as medical devices. Because of the many benefits of PTFE Tubing, they are used for many medical applications. A few examples include delivery systems, infusion lines, covering wires, and protective sheathing for devices such as guidewires and diagnostic tools throughout the body. 

At Hydromer®, Inc., we manufacture a variety of custom PTFE tubing products, including our innovative PTFE mini-tubing and PTFE Multi-Lumen Tubing.

In this article we will explore the key benefits of PTFE tubing for medical applications. Our goal is to understand the role of PTFE tubings in the overall success of applications such as fluid delivery systems. If you are a biomedical or medical device engineer looking for solutions to enhance your device’s reliability and performance, this article is a must-read for you.

The Role of PTFE in the Medical Industry

PTFE has been widely used in the medical industry for many decades. Approved products are biocompatible. They are able to remain in the human body without causing harmful reactions, triggering immune responses, or degrading over time.

Right after its introduction PTFE quickly gained huge popularity due to its ability to perform consistently across a wide range of temperatures and chemical environments. This is something very few materials can claim. This is just one of the benefits of PTFE tubing. Another key benefit of the material is its low coefficient of friction (CoF). 

The material is used for several medical applications. The two main uses are 1. as a coating for minimally invasive devices, 2. as PTFE tubing, and 3. as liners. 

PTFE is preferred over materials like silicone and PVC for tubing applications. This is because of its non-stick properties, chemical inertness, mechanical stability, and biocompatibility. 

What is PTFE Tubing for Medical Devices?

PTFE tubing are standalone tubes with thicker walls vs PTFE liners. These tubing products are a critical component of medical devices and systems, helping accomplish the transport of fluids, as well as in drug delivery systems, protective sheathing, etc. Due to the lubricity of the material, it helps make everything move faster and smoother.

The Role of PTFE Tubing in Medical Devices

In medical devices, PTFE tubing serves multiple roles depending on the application. Some of these roles include: 

• Drug delivery systems – the tubing acts as a chemically inert fluid pathway that does not interact with the medication.
• Diagnostic tools – tubing ensures biological fluids are transported accurately without contamination or degradation.
• Heat-shrink tubing – encapsulates medical devices with a lubricious layer, reducing friction and allowing the device to move smoother throughout the body. Heat-shrink tubing also provides electrode insulation and protection for devices, and auxiliary catheter component joining and reinforcement. 

The use of PTFE as a liner inside a catheter is a related but separate product. These reduce friction between the catheter wall and the instruments or fluids passing through it. We will cover the benefits of PTFE Liners separately in a future article entitled Benefits of PTFE Liners for Medical Devices – Catheters, Guidewires, Diagnostics Tools.

Types of PTFE Tubings

Tubing is a term used to describe a range of tubing products. Some of the different types (forms) of PTFE tubing include: 

• Standalone PTFE Tubing: available in different wall thicknesses and inner-diameters
• PTFE Mini tubing: ultra-small diameter tubing for high-end medical devices
• Multi-lumen Tubing: It features one central lumen and 1-4 external lumens. Multi-Lumen tubings are used to carry fluids, gases, wires, etc. simultaneously.
• Heat-Shrink Tubing and Zebra (spiral) heat-shrink tubing: At Hydromer®, we offer PTFE Heat Shrink Tubing. It is used for encapsulation, electrode insulation, and catheter component joining during device assembly. Our PTFE Zebra Heat-Shrink Tubing with colored spiral strips is designed specifically for applications like guidewire integration and endoscopy, where visibility and precision during procedures are critical.

Top 9 Benefits of PTFE Tubing for Medical Applications

PTFE tubing has many benefits, which have led to the products being used frequently. The material has a coefficient of friction of approximately 0.04, among the lowest of any solid material. For comparison, ice on ice has a coefficient of about 0.03. In medical devices, this property provides coveted lubricity, enabling smoother navigation and reduced insertion force.

The following are the top 10 benefits of PTFE tubing:

1. Chemical Inertness

PTFE does not react with acids, bases, solvents, or even biological fluids. It makes PTFE one of the safest materials for fluid-contact applications. Whether it is saline, contrast agents, or sensitive pharmaceutical compounds, PTFE tubing has the ability to remain stable.

This means a reduced risk for the tubing material leaching into the fluid or reacting with the drug. This property is mostly critical for drug delivery and diagnostic applications.

2. Excellent Lubricity (Low CoF)

PTFE is a non-stick material with an extremely low coefficient of friction (CoF). It provides a low-friction, lubricous inner surface. This allows both fluids and medical devices to move through the lumen with minimal resistance.

3. Flow Efficiency

The smooth inner surface of PTFE tubing reduces turbulence and drag as fluids pass through. This improves flow efficiency in drug delivery systems, infusion lines, and diagnostic tools.

Better flow control means more accurate dosing and more reliable fluid transport.

4. Thermal Stability

PTFE maintains structural integrity from -200°C to +260°C. This allows the tubing to withstand both standard and aggressive sterilization processes, including autoclave and ethylene oxide.

It also remains stable during the manufacturing process itself, where materials are often exposed to heat during extrusion and bonding.

5. Biocompatibility

PTFE is biocompatible. As a material it is generally considered non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, meaning it does not trigger immune or inflammatory responses when in contact with human tissue. This is a benefit as it reduces adverse biological reactions when using PTFE as a tubing.

6. Electrical Insulation

PTFE is an excellent choice for devices that carry electrical signals or require insulation of conductive components.

Hydromer® PTFE heat-shrink tubing is used to insulate pacemaker leads, neurostimulation electrodes, and electrosurgical instrument components. Its exceptional dielectric properties ensure stability under high temperatures and repeated use.

7. Low Particulate Generation

PTFE has a very smooth surface that does not shed particles easily under normal operating conditions. It is especially important in the case of devices that operate in sensitive environments. For example, neurovascular procedures or drug delivery, where even small particulates can cause serious complications.

Unlike other polymers that may degrade or shed material under friction, PTFE remains intact and clean throughout use.

8. Low Moisture Absorption

Unlike materials such as nylon or polyurethane, PTFE absorbs virtually no moisture. This means its mechanical and dimensional properties remain stable even after prolonged exposure to bodily fluids or wet environments.

9. Long-Term Durability

Companies such as Hydromer® manufacture PTFE tubing that exhibits excellent long-term durability. Specifically, it does not degrade, crack, or lose performance under normal operating conditions, even after repeated use. These quality tubing products withstand repeated sterilization, long-term fluid exposure, and mechanical stress without significant wear.

Limitations of PTFE Tubings Compared to Other Tubing Materials

While PTFE tubing offers significant performance benefits, there are two most important considerations to keep in mind.

• Processing Complexity: PTFE tubings cannot be processed using standard melt extrusion methods like most thermoplastics. It requires specialized techniques such as paste extrusion, ram extrusion, or film casting. It means manufacturers need either specialized in-house capabilities or a supplier like Hydromer®, Inc., with the advanced equipment and years of in-house expertise.
• Material Cost: PTFE is generally more expensive than alternative tubing materials such as polyurethane, nylon, or FEP. Higher raw material costs and specialized processing contribute to the overall price, which may be a consideration for high-volume, cost-sensitive applications.

Applications: Medical Devices That Rely on PTFE Tubing

There are a few, but very critical applications of PTFE tubings, ranging from drug delivery systems to IV delivery sets. Though not prominent, the tubings are working quietly in the background to keep procedures smooth, fluids moving, and devices performing as intended.

• Drug Delivery Systems: PTFE tubing is used as the primary fluid pathway in infusion systems, syringe pumps, and catheter-based drug delivery devices. Its chemical inertness ensures that sensitive medications, contrast agents, and biological fluids do not interact with the tubing, preserving drug integrity and ensuring accurate delivery.
• Diagnostic Tools: Most diagnostic equipment, including blood analysis systems, fluid sampling tools, and imaging equipment, relies on PTFE tubing to transport biological fluids and reagents with precision.
• Fluid Transfer Systems: PTFE tubing is used in IV sets, drainage systems, and laboratory fluid handling equipment to ensure smooth and uninterrupted fluid transfer.
• Heat-shrink tubing: encapsulates medical devices with a lubricious layer, reducing friction and allowing the device to move smoother throughout the body. Heat-shrink tubing also provides electrode insulation and protection for devices, and auxiliary catheter component joining and reinforcement.

Hydromer®: Advanced Coatings, Tubings and Liners Manufacturer

Hydromer®, Inc. has been a trusted partner to medical device manufacturers for over 40 years. We started with hydrophilic coatings and have since expanded our product portfolio to include advanced PTFE tubings, PTFE liners, automated coating equipment, and several contract coating services. Over time, we have become one of the few companies that can support device manufacturers across the entire product life cycle.

Our PTFE Tubing Products include:

• MatrixLiner® PTFE Mini Tubing
• PTFE Multi-Lumen Tubing
• PTFE Heat-Shrink Tubing

Our PTFE Liner Products include: 

• MatrixLiner® Free Extruded Liner
• MatrixLiner® Extruded OTW Liner
• MorphoLiner® Casted OTW Liner

We are a trusted partner to leading medical device manufacturers. Our PTFE lining and tubing products can be customized to meet specific product, performance, and regulatory requirements.

Advantages of Choosing Hydromer®, Inc. PTFE Liners and Tubings

Hydromer® uses three advanced processes to manufacture ultra-thin-wall PTFE liners and tubing: FREE Extrusion, Over-The-Wire (OTW) Mandrel Extrusion, and Film Casting. Each process offers unique benefits to medical device manufacturers.

Below are the top three benefits of selecting Hydromer® PTFE Liners and Tubings:

• Reliable Extrusion Lines: Hydromer’s production lines enable precise micro-dimensional extrusion, supported by advanced quality inspection to ensure fault-free production.
• Consistent Output: Hydromer uses scalable production lines and technology to ensure reliable dimensional accuracy across high-volume extrusions.
• Quick Turnaround: Rapid prototyping and scalable manufacturing capabilities support accelerated development timelines.
• Vertical Integration: Hydromer offers engineering support, design for manufacturability, regulatory services, material modification, formulation customization, prototyping, testing, validation, and manufacturing services.
• High-Quality Raw Materials: Hydromer uses premium fluoropolymers to ensure enhanced lubricity, biocompatibility, and long-term device reliability.

 Get in Touch

Explore Hydromer’s range of PTFE liners, tubing, hydrophilic coatings, coating equipment, and contract services to support your product and production needs. The goal is to help you achieve efficient, high-volume device production and advance medical device development.

Contact Hydromer® to learn more about PTFE liner and tubing products and to request samples.