Polyplastics‘s Topas 8007S-0$ cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) is now being used in Tandem Diabetes Care‘s insulin delivery pumps. The Tandem t:slim X2 Insulin Pump is one of the smallest pumps on the market. It is a continuous glucose monitor-enabled pump that lets users make decisions about their treatment without having to prick their finger to
Conventus Polymers launches Paryls PES in North America
April 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Conventus Polymers has launched China’s UJU New Materials Paryls polyethersulfone (PES) in North America. Conventus is an exclusive distributor of UJU New Materials and has already distributed the company’s polysulfone (PSU) and polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) product lines. “We welcome this new distribution arrangement, which expands our portfolio options for our customers,” said John Jorgensen, president of
Foster appointed distributor for Repsol polyolefin portfolio
March 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Foster Corp. recently announced that it has become the North America distributor for Repsol‘s healthcare polyolefins portfolio. The company will distribute Repsol’s polypropylene, polyethylene and ethylele-vinyl acetate copolymers within the North American healthcare markets. Repsol’s medical-grade polyolefins are typically used in a number of healthcare applications like syringe barrels and medical bags. The company offers
Raumedic showcasing polymer solutions at Medtec Europe 2018
March 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Raumedic is showcasing some of its polymer solutions at Medtec Europe, set to take place in Stuttgart, Germany April 17-19. The company manufactures medical-grade components made from thermoplastics and silicone using its extrusion and injection-molding processes. All of the components are processed under clean-room conditions and are ISO Class 7 compliant. Raumedic has a variety
Covestro releases new polycarbonate with resistance to solvents, cleaning agents
March 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Covestro has released Makrolon Rx3440, a material designed to withstand solvents found in oncology treatments — as well as cleaning agents. The medical polycarbonate offers durability and chemical resistance to help prevent cracking so that healthcare professionals can more safely deliver oncology drugs to patients. Cancer treatments are hard on plastics, noted Lauren Zetts, North America
Why PEEK is so hard to extrude
February 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment
PEEK — a popular material for catheters and minimally invasive tubing — can trip up novices when it comes to extrusion. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is known throughout the medical device industry for its toughness, strength and high heat thermal characteristics. It’s often used to replace metal components in medical devices; because it’s a thermoplastic it can be injection-molded
MD&M West: 10 technologies you should know
February 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
MD&M West is one of the largest medical device manufacturing events in the world, so it’s easy to get lost on the show floor. Even if you were in Anaheim, Calif., for the event last week, you may have missed a lot. From a new robotics insights display from Rethink Robotics to a disinfectant-resistant plastic
Spectrum Plastics Group buys Apex Resource Technologies
February 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Spectrum Plastics Group (Alpharetta, Ga.) is expanding its specialty products and design engineering offerings through its acquisition of Apex Resource Technologies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed in today’s announcement. Apex has more than 60 people at its 45,000-square-foot facility in Pittsfield, Mass., and is a full-service design engineering, tooling and injection molding operation.
Could this Eastman polymer improve medical device housing durability?
February 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Specialty plastics provider Eastman used the recent MD&M West to tout the ability of its MXF221 copolyester to hold up to repeated application of hospital disinfectants. Eastman officials think MXF221 could be a new option for medical device manufacturers – especially because a cracked housing could endanger the electronics inside expensive equipment including ultrasound and
Victrex opens $13 million Polymer Innovation Center
January 2, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Victrex recently announced that it has opened its new $13 million Polymer Innovation Center in Thornton Cleveleys, U.K. to help accelerate innovation. Victrex currently makes high-performance polyaryletherketone (PAEK) as well as selected parts for gears and dental discs. In hopes of developing next-generation thermoplastic solutions, the new facility is fully-operational and is dedicated to research
This orthopedic implant was originally designed for NASA
December 15, 2017 By Leave a Comment
A patient at the Rambam Medical Center in Israel was recently implanted with a polymer-made ballast that was originally designed for NASA. Roxana Smarsky has a disease that causes the head of her femur to contract. She recently had to have orthopedic surgery to replace her hip that was worn and causing pain because of
Solvay releases new PEEK polymer for implantable devices
December 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Solvay has launched its new Zeniva ZA-600 CF30 polyetheretherketone (PEEK) designed for use in implantable device applications. Zeniva ZA-600 CF30 PEEK is a 30% carbon fiber-reinforced, radiolucent polymer that offers modulus that is similar to cortical bone. The polymer helps implants minimize bone density reduction while maintaining normal stress on surrounding bone tissues. The polymer
Everything you need to know about medical device creation
November 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Medtech development is hard. Medical device creation can require manufacturing know-how in areas as wide-ranging as electrical components, high-performance polymers, molding and machining – and that doesn’t even include the required expertise in design, regulatory requirements and achieving reimbursement. The good news is that the companies serving the medical device industry have become specialized experts. Through
ChemSpec’s to distribute Dispersix adhesives
November 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment
ChemSpec is now offering Dispersix silicone processing additives following a new distribution deal with Spherix Mineral Products. The recently-announced partnership with Spherix Mineral Products allows ChemSpec to offer medical device manufacturers and suppliers with additives that can improve silicone products. Dispersix is used in high consistency rubber (HCR) silicone cure chemistries. Aluminosilicates are recovered from
Raumedic to present polymer solutions at Compamed and Medica
October 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Raumedic will be presenting its polymer solutions for medical and pharmaceutical applications at Compamed and Medica on Nov. 13-16 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The company is showcasing its highly flexible, high-pressure tubing that is used for angiography as well as its disposable cartridges for wearable drug delivery systems. High-pressure tubing for angioplasty needs to have optimal
