Advancing Medical Wearable Devices through Electrically Conductive Silicone Molding

The advancement of medical wearable devices is explored through the use of electrically conductive (EC) silicone molding. The choice of silicone elastomer formulation, including high consistency rubber (HCR), liquid silicone rubber (LSR), and room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) materials, impacts the molding process. Conductive additives like carbon fiber (CF) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) are introduced to achieve electrical conductivity in silicone, with considerations for loading levels to maintain mechanical properties. Molding methods, such as injection and compression molding, influence shear forces and temperature, affecting the conductive performance. ProMed conducted tests, evaluating resistivity and uniformity across different elastomer types, additive materials, and gate styles, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between device designers and manufacturers to optimize conductive componentry for wearable medical devices.