Polymer Selection in MedTech: The Tradeoffs Behind Catheter Performance

Polymer selection is one of the most overlooked reasons catheter performance changes from concept to real-world use. 

In this episode of MedTech Unboxed, Steve talks with Ned Burnett from Saint-Gobain about why polymer selection is one of the most important and under-discussed parts of modern MedTech device design. 

The conversation uses Saint-Gobain’s guide From Test to Chart: Polymer Selection for Medical Devices as the framework. This practical guide shows engineers how to move beyond single datasheet values and predicate materials when selecting polymers for advanced catheter systems. 

You will hear how stiffness, toughness, flexibility, elongation, and kink resistance interact in real designs. The discussion also covers why joining technologies, temperature behavior, creep, chemical exposure, and sterilization can significantly change material performance in ways that are easy to miss during development. 

This is Part 1 of a multi-episode series. Ned will return in future episodes to continue unpacking more of the 13 categories in the guide. 

What you’ll hear in this episode: 

• Why polymer selection in MedTech is more complex than simply reusing a predicate material
• How stiffness, toughness, flexibility, elongation, and kink resistance interact in catheter design
• Why joining technologies and material interfaces are common risk points
• How temperature, creep, and dimensional stability affect long-term device performance
• The impact of chemical exposure, coatings, and sterilization on polymer behavior
• Why Saint-Gobain created this guide to help engineers evaluate material tradeoffs more systematically

Download the free guide →