A thermoplastic polymer marketed by DuPont under the Sorona brand contains up to 37% renewable material from nonfood biomass. The material has applications in carpeting and apparel, and, as I was somewhat surprised to learn at Fakuma 2014 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, medical devices.

A UK-based manufacturer of single-use surgical instruments, DTR Medical uses Sorona polymer for the fabrication of multiple components in a biopsy punch. A 15% glass-filled grade of Sorona EP, that withstands gamma sterilization and features high strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability, was selected for this application.

The Cervical Rotating Biopsy Punch is the first medical device fabricated with Sorona polymer.

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