Application of SABIC's Lexan HPM plastic

- We originally used conventional polycarbonate for the Pulsar pump, but after dialysis sessions, we would observe fibrin production and clot formations adhering to the pump walls - explains John Maholtz, senior vice president of Operations & Engineering for Renal Solutions. - To minimize the potential for formation of clots that could interfere with treatment, we not only modified the design, but also worked with SABIC Innovative Plastics to incorporate Lexan HPM1944 resin for improved hemocompatibility performance. By implementing these design and material changes, it appears that we have reduced the likelihood for thrombosis or clotting in the pump. In fact, based on initial treatments of up to six hours in duration, the walls of the Pulsar pump remain clean - he adds.

The Pulsar blood pump is an integral part of Renal Solutions` Allient Sorbent Hemodialysis System. The Pulsar pump`s gentle blood movement provides expanded safety and versatility advantages through the pump`s unique, pressure-limited two-chamber design. The unique design, coupled with SABIC Innovative Plastics` materials expertise, brings the first significant advancement in hemodialysis blood pump evolution since the 1960s.

Compared to conventional PC, Lexan HPM1944 resin is a biocompatible polycarbonate that provides up to 50 percent greater retention of platelets in the blood; up to 50 percent lower leukocyte activation; and up to 60 percent lower fibrinogen adsorption to the material`s surface, all of which may result in fewer interactions and improved preservation of blood composition.

SABIC Innovative Plastics is a global supplier of plastic resins widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building and construction, telecommunications and optical media applications. The company manufactures and compounds polycarbonate, ABS, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP line of high-performance specialty compounds, under such well known brand names as Lexan, Cycolac, Geloy, Noryl, Cycoloy, Valox and Ultem.

The Specialty Film and Sheet division of SABIC Innovative Plastics manufactures high-performance Lexan sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide. The dedicated automotive organization is an experienced, worldwide supplier, offering leading plastics solutions for five key automotive segments: body panels and glazing; under the hood applications; component; structures and interiors; and lighting.

SABIC Innovative Plastics is part of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the 10 largest petrochemicals manufacturers in the world.