PURPOSE: To efficiently obtain the natural rubber product for medical use from which the materials harmful to living bodies are removed and which has sufficient durability against deterioration with lapse of time while the mechanical properties of natural rubber are maintained.
CONSTITUTION: This natural rubber product for medical use is produced by immersing a vulcanized natural rubber latex into an org. solvent having swellability, treating the latex at 50 to 90°C to remove the additives previously added to the latex, and immersing the latex into an org. solvent dissolved with a nontoxic antioxidant substantially insoluble in blood thereby adding this antioxidant to the latent. The cell propagation inhibition rate of the treated and vulcanized natural rubber product is ≤30% of the cell propagation inhibition rate of the untreated and vulcanized natural rubber product.
HIEJIMA NORIHIRO