Medical polymer extrusion specialist Zeus garners innovation prize

Medical tubing supplier Zeus (Orangeburg, SC) walked away with the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) Minneapolis Innovation Prize this week. Besting four other finalists, the company was recognized for the development of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) monofilament that can replace stainless steel in wire braiding applications. The technology enables the fabrication of catheters that are compatible with magnetic resonance imaging. PlasticsToday profiled the technology last month: “Zeus develops LCP to replace metal braiding in catheters.”

As minimally invasive surgical procedures become increasingly complex, physicians require improved visualization of soft tissue, making metals undesirable in some types of medical devices. Zeus says its LCP fiber has an average tensile strength of 1.2 Gpa, compared to 1.0 Gpa for 304 stainless steel (annealed), reports sister brand Qmed. The fiber also provides excellent torque response, pushability and distal end deflectability.

The five finalists were selected by Qmed editors and readers. MD&M Minneapolis visitors were invited on a booth tour of the five finalists during the event and cast their votes for the most innovative technology.  The other finalists were Circuit Solutions, Diversified Plastics, Liquidmetal Technologies and Pressure Profile Systems.

The co-located MD&M Minneapolis and PLASTEC Minneapolis event was held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Sept. 21 and 22.