Current Pulse

Self-Sealing TPEs for Medical Infusion Therapy Systems

Versaflex HC for infusion therapy stoppers and septums improves patient safety and reduces manufacturing complexity while streamlining regulatory compliance for faster speed to market. By replacing traditional stopper and septum materials with insert-molded Versaflex HC, PolyOne healthcare customers can achieve:

• Excellent self-sealing
• Resistance to coring*
• Enhanced purity
• Reduced manufacturing cost
• Streamlined regulatory compliance

*Note: Coring refers to the shearing off of minute pieces of the stopper material when penetrated by a needle. www.polyone.com

Neurovent-PTO’s FDA Clearance

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave market clearance to the Neurovent-PTO – a marketed device that combines three parameters in one catheter to measure intracranial pressure (ICP), intracranial temperature (ICT), and oxygen partial pressure (pti02).

Measuring of oxygen partial pressure (pti02) shows the available oxygen in the brain tissue and allows for early detection of cerebral damage to help prevent secondary injury. Cerebral ischemia is the leading cause of preventable death in cases of major trauma with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Neurovent-PTO uses the process of oxygen quenching, which does not consume oxygen when measuring available brain tissue oxygen and results in a rapid response to environment changes. www.raumedic.com

Advanced Plasma Technology

Uyemura Int’l Corp. and Europlasma NV have formed a partnership to bring advanced vacuum plasma treatment technology (Nanofics) to the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Nanofics technology uses a low-pressure, dry-plasma system to deposit polymer nanocoatings with high levels of long-term hydrophobicity and/or oleophobicity. It is inherently “green,” and does not generate chemical waste. It also offers the advantage of being used as an encapsulate for the complete board, with Z-axis conductivity that allows electrical connection through the coating. These coatings can also be soldered through.

In addition to electronics and PCB manufacturing, Europlasma Nanofics technology has demonstrated wide applicability for medical device applications. www.uyemura.com