Dymax's medical device adhesives, Natus Medical's Echo-Screen III hearing screener and Eastman's work on small-bore connectors are all currently featured at the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West trade show at Eastman Chemical's booth 2515 (Anaheim; Feb. 10-12).

"Eastman Tritan copolyester can help improve medical device reliability and patient safety in a variety of ways—from a toughness that can translate into reduced device failure to collaborations that can ensure quality materials work well together," said Ellen Turner, market development manager of specialty plastics, medical devices for Eastman. "Ultimately, the material provides greater peace of mind for health care professionals and patients."

Dymax, a manufacturer of advanced light-curable adhesives, coatings, oligomers, light-curing equipment and fluid dispense systems, has conducted joint testing with Eastman regarding pairing Eastman Tritan copolyester with select Dymax medical device adhesives. Now, the companies have a full list of products that have been tested for biocompatibility, are supported by test data and can be recommended early in the development of new devices.

"Our customers value efficiency and reliability throughout the design and validation process. The sooner they can deliver safe medical devices to market, the sooner patient outcomes can be improved," said Mark Pizzuto, global market segment manager, medical, for Dymax. "Building a bridge along the supply chain requires companies with shared values, extensive experience, and a willingness to work together. We found that Eastman valued a complete customer solution and worked with the customer needs top of mind similarly to Dymax."

Another collaboration includes Natus Medical's Echo-Screen III hearing screener, made with Eastman Tritan copolyester MXF121, which is used primarily for newborn hearing screening. This compact, all-in-one device incorporates transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) capabilities. The Echo-Screen III hearing screener—originally designed and tooled using polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene alloy—now features Eastman Tritan copolyester MXF121.

Launched at MD&M West 2014, Eastman Tritan copolyester MXF121 has reportedly helped Natus Medical proactively address patient safety concerns. "The Natus development team was able to meet user requirements for a DEHP-free and BPA-free product by partnering with Eastman on material selection," said Jim Hawkins, president and CEO of Natus Medical.

Injection molder and moldmaker A. Hopf GmbH selected Eastman Tritan copolyester as a raw material suitable for a newly designed small-bore connector. The connector addresses growing concerns for medical-device misconnections, which prompted a search for consistent, easier-to-use and safer small-bore connectors. The Global Enteral Device Supplier Association (GEDSA) already has seen regulatory changes to this effect with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for connectors for enteral applications, ISO/DIS 2 80369-3. A. Hopf GmbH proactively addressed this with a consistent design for enteral connectors according to the new requirements.

"While working on the new design of a standard connector, we also had to consider the material that would be used in its development," said Michael Hopf, sales manager for A. Hopf GmbH. "At A. Hopf GmbH, we saw Eastman Tritan copolyester as the future raw material for medical-device connectors such as stopcocks and y-connectors because it's a BPA-free, new-generation copolyester that provides toughness, chemical resistance and stability post-sterilization."