3 Uses of Aluminum in the Medical Industry

What are some uses of aluminum in the medical industry?

1. Medical devices and diagnostic tools
2. Research equipment
3. Hospital room/field equipment

Medicine is a field where precision and accuracy in all its intricate branches are non-negotiable. In the industry, human lives are at risk, which is why even the smallest details of their equipment should not be taken lightly. Unknown to many people, there are numerous uses of aluminum in the medical industry.

How could this metal cement its usefulness in the field of medicine? Listed below are three ways that the medical industry uses aluminum. Read on to learn more!

Medical devices and diagnostic tools

It should come as no surprise that medical devices and diagnostic tools are made with special care and precision. Any discrepancies or mistakes could lead to erroneous or unsatisfactory performance of the tools. Aluminum is known for its flexibility and durability despite being lightweight. This makes it one of the few metals that can easily be incorporated into medical devices with specific and unusual dimensions and measurements that need it.

One of the most common devices that is lined with aluminum are stethoscopes. The binaural pieces up to the chest piece, or basically the metal parts of the stethoscope, are sometimes (partly) made of aluminum. The metal’s flexibility allows it to be molded into a tube. Other equipment such as lift systems also take advantage of this attribute.

Because of aluminum alloys’ anti-corrosion properties, it becomes a good material for instruments that constantly need sanitation. There are traces of aluminum in a scalpel, for example. A surgical instrument needs to be completely sanitized, so even if the blade itself is stainless steel, aluminum traces in the handle help keep the piece of equipment compact and durable despite being sterilized multiple times.

For objects that don’t directly touch the patient such as trays, cases, containers, and others, aluminum is a good choice of material. The metal’s durability along with its other properties proves to be excellent characteristics of medical equipment, especially when in the field.

Although some alloys, such as 6061, 6063, and 3003 are deemed biocompatible, they are still not generally used for implants that may go inside a patient.

Research Equipment

Medicine, as a scientific field, is heavily based on research. Naturally, hospitals take part in a lot of the research being done in medicine. Some equipment for research uses aluminum extrusions. Aside from the reasons mentioned above, there are just some places where aluminum works better than steel. An anodized aluminum extrusion might work as parts of a larger machine, for example.

The metal is a popular choice in research because of its cost-friendly benefits. Procuring aluminum is not as expensive as other metals, so researchers, with budget proposals also in mind, tend to use this material for their equipment. If a study calls for multiple uses of steel-based equipment, using stainless steel might just be too costly.

The future of medical equipment seems to also be paved in aluminum. Aluminum is a good fit in general in almost any medical setting, and having it in your equipment will prove to be more beneficial than harmful.

Hospital room/field equipment

With its long list of benefits, aluminum has made its way into almost any part of the hospital. Aluminum extrusions are also used even for gurneys, trays, or even the monitors that are found around the bed. You might not know it, but the handrails, walkers, and wheelchairs are also lined with or made of aluminum alloys. Even surgical lights have aluminum!

All of these parts of a hospital are always subject to strong sanitizers and other cleaning solutions. That’s why the use of a strong, non-corrosive metal is simply the best choice.

The fieldwork in medicine also uses aluminum to its advantage. In disaster, combat, or rescue situations, field workers are expected to have a quick setup to be able to respond to medical emergencies as fast as possible. The lightweight aluminum fits best for easy to transport equipment, which is why it is used for the frames of medical field tents as well. Its resistance to corrosion helps it keep the natural elements at bay without weakening.

Key Takeaway

The combination of the logistical ease and medical compatibility of the metal is the key to its success in the medical industry. Hospitals and other medical establishments have invested in aluminum for many good reasons, and it has not disappointed yet. For all of the uses of aluminum in the medical industry, the benefits still seem to escape the notice of many people.

Naturally, high-quality aluminum from good sources needs to be used for any of these. As mentioned earlier, precision and accuracy are important, so you need people who know what they’re doing. If you want to talk about how aluminum could help you or your medical establishments, you may contact the best aluminum suppliers in the Philippines here, and we can assist you from there!