Covestro showcases high-impact TPU films for smart sensing

Covestro, a leading supplier of high-performance polymer materials, will demonstrate breakthrough applications of its Platilon® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films for smart medical insoles and other flexible printed electronic applications. 

Whether we stroll or sprint, feel our best or face illness, our feet reveal a surprising amount about us. Understanding our gait and how forces travel through our bodies isn’t just about performance; it’s a window into overall health. Innovative smart shoe insoles are capturing real-world, real-time data during training, therapy and everyday movement. Their integrated sensors help detect illness, flag early injury risks, track recovery and inform better footwear design. By absorbing impact, dispersing force, and maintaining consistent contact under cyclical loading, Platilon® TPU film stabilizes the sensing environment, helping pressure and force sensors capture repeatable data over thousands of steps. 

Designed for Real Life: Smart Solutions for Orthotic and Performance Applications

• Durable compression and flexing: Platilon® TPU film provides a reliable substrate for printed circuits, translating into exceptional stability while protecting sensitive electronics and ensuring lasting performance.
• Reliable component attachment: Mechanical properties of Platilon® TPU film help maintain secure and reliable connections for inks, bonding materials and electronic components used in applications like insole sensing.
• Enhanced / Excellent stretchability and conformability: Soft, stretchable and conformable, Platilon® flexible TPU films enhance overall comfort and usability.
• Hygiene: Smart pressure-sensing insoles must handle sweat, strain, and motion. Platilon® TPU film encapsulates sensors in a durable and sealed construction that resists sweat, dust, and repeated compression fatigue. 

"We’re proud that our specialty films help transform innovative ideas into practical, real-life wearable technology,” said Justin Spitzer, Flexible Printed Electronics Business Development Manager at Covestro. "Our high-impact Platilon® TPU film for smart sensing helps durable wearable devices maintain optimal performance throughout extensive stretch-flex cycling, making them the material of choice for smart insoles that need to perform reliably over the short and long term.” 

Medical device manufacturers interested in learning more can visit High-Impact TPU Films for Smart Sensing or contact Covestro's Specialty Films division at 413-665-7016. 

MD&M West attendees can stop by the Covestro booth (#2439) to explore how the company’s Specialty Films (both rigid and flexible) are transforming healthcare applications.

 

Covestro is much more than a materials supplier. By leveraging its healthcare and materials expertise, the company partners with medical product manufacturers to design and develop solutions that address market needs and, most importantly, benefit patients.