Lubrizol Launches Tolerathane TPU, Redefining Biostability and Design Flexibility in Implantable Medical Devices
Published: 12 Feb 2026
Author: Precedence Research
Lubrizol has introduced Tolerathanetm TPU, another generation of medical-grade thermoplastic polyurethane specifically designed for use in implantable medical devices. The new material is well capable of enduring tough biological conditions. It possesses unique softness and mechanical strength, which is a tremendous improvement over the traditional TPU solution, and is currently available in the market. Tolerathanetm TPU is more resistant to oxidative and hydrolytic degradation. This is one of the most urgent problems for medical device manufacturers to ensure the long-term operation and durability of the device within the human body.
Tolerathanetm TPU is developed to enable medical device OEMs to go beyond the limits of the technology of implantable products. Integrating the benefits of thermoplastic processing with the mechanical performance of polyurethane. This special balance allows the designers of devices to make the walls thinner and more flexible, and with better durability, without reducing the biostability. The material has especially found its use in high-performance devices like neuromodulation and cardiac leads, structural heart implants, percutaneous catheters and cables, and implanted textile-based devices.
The high level of resistance to oxidative and hydrolytic attack is one of the key characteristics of Tolerathanetm TPU. This is a factor that tends to shorten the life of implantable polymers. Materials in harsh physiological conditions are subjected to reactive oxygen species and body fluids that may deteriorate the mechanical integrity over the years. The most recent innovation by Lubrizol exhibits enhanced biostability, where even at the tenderest durometers, the material does not lose its structural integrity. This innovation is of particular importance in implants of long duration, where comfort and longevity are of primary concern.
Executive Statement
Jennifer Green, Senior Global Technical Business Development Manager and Commercial Lead for Tolerathane TPU, emphasized the significance of the launch, stating, “Lubrizol brings decades of foundational expertise to its specialized medical-grade TPU portfolio. As a pioneer in thermoplastic polyurethane innovation, Lubrizol continues to meet the evolving needs of modern healthcare, delivering materials that enable innovative medical devices and developing the next-generation TPU for implantable medical devices.”