Recently, Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, in collaboration with domestic silicone material companies, has successfully developed an ethyl silicone oil derivative with excellent biocompatibility, which has been applied for the first time in artificial joint lubricants and medical catheter coatings, bringing revolutionary breakthroughs to the field of medical devices.


Traditional artificial joint lubricants often use mineral oil or synthetic hydrocarbon materials, but long-term use may lead to increased joint wear and even trigger inflammatory reactions. Ethyl silicone oil is considered an ideal substitute material due to its chemical inertness, low surface tension, and good lubrication performance. However, the biocompatibility of ordinary ethyl silicone oil cannot meet medical grade requirements, which limits its clinical application.


The research team introduced hydrophilic groups into the main chain of ethyl silicone oil through molecular structure design, significantly improving the biocompatibility of the material. Animal experiments have shown that this derivative can effectively reduce joint friction coefficient, decrease wear rate by about 60%, and does not cause any immune rejection reaction. At present, the product has entered the clinical trial stage and is expected to achieve commercial application within the next two years.


In addition, ethyl silicone oil derivatives are also used for coating medical catheters. Its ultra smooth characteristics can reduce friction during catheter insertion, alleviate patient pain, and prevent thrombus formation. The person in charge of a medical device company stated that after adopting the new coating, the service life of the catheter has been extended by three times, and the market feedback is good.


Industry insiders analyze that with the worsening of population aging and the upgrading of medical technology, the market potential for biocompatible ethyl silicone oil materials is enormous. It is expected that by 2030, the global market size of medical grade ethyl silicone oil will exceed 5 billion yuan, with a compound annual growth rate of 15%. Domestic enterprises need to seize opportunities, strengthen industry university research cooperation, and promote the deep application of ethyl silicone oil in the medical field.