Medical device innovations highlight MD&M West

Plastics compounds that enable innovations in medical device design are among the highlights at this week's Medical Design & Manufacturing  (MD&M) West  in Anaheim, California.

A DuPont polyacetal grade developed specifically for medical devices is used for a safety scalpel blade holder introduced by  Southmedic. The Special Control grade is said to provide superior stiffness, low friction and compliance with USP Class VI and ISO 10993 -5 and -11 regulations.

Image depicts the CABO Scalpel covering the blade.

The injection molded blade holder incorporates a snap-fit design for attachment of a clear retractable polycarbonate (PC) sheath and metal blade. The PC sheath slides along the substrate's grooved track.

Southmedic developed the safety scalpel -- called CABO-- because surgeons are faced with a growing number of safety mandates such as the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act in the United States, according to Ken Noseworthy, Southmedic's vice president of Proprietary Sales and Business Development.

New Styron grades

Styron is introducing two resins at MD&M West: 1) CALIBRE MEGARAD 2091, which Styron describes as a next-generation polycarbonate for single-use medical devices requiring gamma or electron-beam irradiation, and 2) EMERGE PC/PET 9500CR Advanced Resins, which the company says offers  superior chemical and ignition resistance for powered medical equipment housings.

Styron is offering bag quantity samples of these grades to customers through its new Medical Grade Stock Sample Program.

PolyOne, a major compounder, is introducing:

• NEUSoft polyurethane and PEBA-based materials that now meet USP Class VI and ISO 10993 biocompatibility requirements, and are available via rapid fulfillment service;
• Three new grades of GLS Versalloy HC TPV Alloy that are drop-in replacements for select grades of medical TPV materials that ExxonMobil Chemical Co. will discontinue by the end of this year;
• Geon HC rigid vinyl for medical device housings that are said to provide superior chemical resistance to hospital disinfectants and cleaners; and
• A palette of standard and custom colors called Stan-Tone HC Plus for silicone color dispersions that are pre-certified to meet or exceed ISO 10993 and USP Class VI requirements in silicone-based applications.