Covestro has showcased its latest materials for healthcare applications at MD&M West Conference and Exposition (stand 2221) from 11 – 13 February 2020 in Anaheim, CA, USA.
Amongst others, the company featured new Texin Rx thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) grades:
- Texin RxT76D — Used in medical devices, component housings and connectors, this rigid TPU has a nominal flexural modulus of 215,000 psi. It also exhibits good chemical resistance to many cleaning agents used to minimise hospital-acquired infections.
- Texin RxS292 — This polyester-based grade offers high clarity and chemical and abrasion resistance. It can be used in extrusion applications, such as tubing, film and sheet, as well as moulding applications.
- Texin RxT80A — As an 80 Shore A polyether-based material, this grade features high clarity as well as good extrusion characteristics and hydrolysis resistance. Applications include reinforced and multi-lumen tubing as well as film applications for wound care and transdermal applications.
In addition, the company highlighted two new medical-grade polycarbonate families:
- Three low-friction Makrolon polycarbonates that deliver good dimensional and mechanical properties for drug delivery devices while eliminating the need for external lubricants.
- Six glass-filled Makrolon polycarbonate grades for surgical and drug delivery applications that require stiffness and strength.
According to Covestro, these new grades further expand its already robust offering of materials for diverse healthcare uses:
- Polycarbonate resins and blends: These materials deliver strength and durability for medical device housings, surgical instruments, syringes, and catheters and other IV components. Biocompatible polycarbonate materials also help drug delivery devices withstand everyday use and chemical interaction.
- Polyurethane raw materials and adhesives: Baymedix A polyurethane adhesive components provide good breathability and low trauma removal to wound care products. Baymedix FP polyurethane raw materials for foams offer good absorption and retention properties in similar applications. For wearables, efficient production can be achieved using skin-friendly adhesive systems and thermoformable foams based on Baymedix polyurethane raw materials. Wound prevention has become an important topic due to healthcare-related ulcers. Covestro will demonstrate wound prevention concepts that combine the benefits of Platilon, Texin and Baymedix materials.
- TPU films and resins: Wound dressings and wound prevention applications utilise Platilon TPU films with a particularly matte surface and other TPU materials for modern non-woven layers. Additionally, breathable Platilon TPU films are used in wearable electronic patch devices. Covestro also offers TPU resins for a variety of healthcare applications. For example, dental ligatures utilise abrasion-resistant Texin RxS285 TPU, while flexible Texin RxT85A TPU and Texin RxT90A TPU are found in various types of medical tubing. These grades are resistant to chemicals, lipids, cleaning agents and bacteria, and offer high clarity for enhanced visual observation.
Several end-use applications utilising these materials will be on display, including:
- Apollo Wearable: Makroblend M525 PC+polyester blend lends toughness and chemical resistance to this stress-recovery wearable. Attendees will have an opportunity to try the device at the Covestro stand.
- RxActuator Mini-Infuser Pump: This device, which is the first wearable animal drug delivery pump according to RxActuator, turns to white Bayblend T85 XF PC+ABS blend for its case and clear Makrolon Rx1805 polycarbonate in a blue tint for the trim.
- Pirouette Medical: Makrolon 2458 polycarbonate is used to injection mould several components in this auto-injector device.
- Vortex Surgical Internal Delivery Device: This disposable ophthalmic surgical device features a threaded female luer adaptor formed from Makrolon 2558 polycarbonate.