Soft-Tissue Biocompatibility with High-Speed Precision
BioMed Flex 50A Resin in a transparent, soft, and elastic 3D printing material for biocompatible applications requiring comfort and long-term skin contact (greater than 30 days) or short-term mucosal membrane contact (less than 24 hours). Combining a soft 50A Shore durometer with high precision, it allows medical professionals and device engineers to rapidly iterate on patient-specific wearables and anatomical models that closely mimic soft human tissue.
Product Naming & Compliance Note: BioMed Elastic 50A Resin has been officially renamed to BioMed Flex 50A Resin to align with Formlabs’ updated biocompatible elastomer suite. This material is manufactured in their FDA-registered, ISO 13485-certified facility.
Key Features
-
Exceptional Elongation: Capable of significant stretching and bending, making it ideal for bellows, tubes, and soft patient-contacting interfaces.
-
Certified Biocompatibility: Tested for ISO 10993 and USP Class VI compliance, ensuring safety for medical device components and wearable devices.
-
High Optical Clarity: The translucent finish provides an aesthetic "premium silicone" look and allows for the visualization of internal fluidic channels or anatomical structures.
-
Multi-Method Sterilization: Validated for compatibility with Ethylene Oxide (EtO) and Gamma sterilization, ensuring parts are safe for use in clinical settings.
Ideal Applications
-
Soft-Tissue Anatomical Models: Realistic models for cardiovascular or gastrointestinal surgical planning and simulation.
-
Patient-Specific Wearables: Soft-touch straps, gaskets, and skin-contacting interfaces for respiratory or orthopedic devices.
-
Medical Tubing & Bellows: Flexible, air-tight connectors for medical equipment that must expand and contract frequently.
-
Grips & Overmolds: Ergonomic, soft-touch covers for handheld medical instruments.
-
Surgical Training Phantoms: Durable, soft-tissue models that can be manipulated or sutured during medical training.
FAQ
How does BioMed Flex 50A differ from the original BioMed Elastic 50A?
It is the exact same biocompatible, highly resilient formulation optimized for the Form 4B and medical printing workflows, but it has been renamed BioMed Flex 50A to establish a consistent naming convention across the Formlabs medical materials catalog.
How does this material compare to BioMed Flex 80A?
BioMed Flex 50A is much softer and more elastic (Shore 50A), closely simulating a silicone wristband or soft tissue. BioMed Flex 80A is much firmer and stiffer (Shore 80A), mimicking the feel of dense cartilage, ligaments, or harder rubber.
Is BioMed Flex 50A compatible with autoclave (steam) sterilization?
No. Unlike BioMed Flex 80A, BioMed Flex 50A is not validated for autoclave sterilization. For clinical applications requiring sterilization, you must utilize Ethylene Oxide (EtO) or Gamma radiation methods.