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A specially formulated compound glows in very low light conditions making emergency shears more useful to medical response personnel trying to quickly reach wounds.

July 3, 2012

2 Min Read
Advanced phosphorescent pigments make life-saving easier

A specially formulated compound glows in very low light conditions making emergency shears more useful to medical response personnel trying to quickly reach wounds.

A phosphorescent glow-in-the-dark color masterbatch is added to a reinforced nylon compound during

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New pigments extend afterglow effect by a factor of ten. Photo: RTP

molding to create a glow-in-the-dark effect to the Rip Shears Ripper, which allows EMTs to quickly slice through multiple layers of clothing, equipment and body armor to access and treat wound sites.  The Rip Shears Ripper is attached to a standard trauma shear.

A phosphorescent glow-in-the-dark color masterbatch from compounder RTP (Winona, MN) is added to glass-reinforced nylon compound used by Icon Injection Molding (Phoenix, AZ).

"This was a very specific request; we hadn't done a glow-in-the-dark product before," says Steve Kleitsch, Icon's co-owner. "But, we were aware of RTP Co.'s expertise with visual effects, so we brought them in for assistance."

The Rip Shears Ripper uses an RTP 200 Series glass fiber reinforced nylon 6/6 compound, which provides the stiffness needed to allow the blade to stay on track and flow through fabric cleanly.  If the plastic were to flex at all fabric could bunch, slowing down access to the wound. Blades are made from stainless steel.

Advanced glow-in-the-dark technology creates an "afterglow" effect that lasts for up to 8 hours, which is about 10 times longer than traditional GITD technologies.

"The inventor loved it and we began production immediately, Kleitsch says.

Phosphorescent pigments absorb ultraviolet light and then slowly emit that energy. They work best with clear or translucent resin systems such as elastomers, acrylics, polycarbonates, styrenics and polyolefins. Color options have increased in recent years.

The specialized compounds are often used to eliminate wiring in signs, railings, armrests, or automotive instrument panels.

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