Soultions to address healthcare trends
The company is pleased to be showcasing a number of innovative medical applications at the K Show, including:IDEXX Catalyst One Chemistry Analyzer - IDEXX, a leader in pet healthcare innovation, required a number of materials for its Catalyst One Chemistry Analyzer. As a portable device for use in veterinary offices, it needed to be small, lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. IDEXX selected a high-modulus, 40% glass/mineral-filled NORYL resin as a metal replacement for the chassis. This afforded significant part consolidation - from 13 parts to one, a 63% weight reduction and a 77% material/assembly cost reduction. IDEXX chose CYCOLOY resin for the enclosure for its good chemical resistance, aesthetics and processing, and an FR-rated LUBRILOY compound for the drawer and lift door, enabling inherent lubrication for better wear resistance and less squeaking between surfaces. They also selected tough, dimensionally stable LEXAN resins for the robot base, and ULTEM resins for the pusher component.
Nihon Kohden AED - Nihon Kohden, a leading maker of medical electronic equipment, selected CYCOLOY PC/ABS resin for the enclosure material of its Cardiolife automated external defibrillator (AED). As a device available to both medical and non-medical users in multiple types of facilities, it was important for the enclosure material to offer good impact and chemical resistance, and perform reliably long-term in various indoor/outdoor environments, including high humidity. Aesthetics were also important to Nihon Kohden, to create a stylish, non-threatening device that could easily be used to perform successful defibrillation. CYCOLOY resin typically offers an excellent balance of impact and flow, improved hydrolysis stability, flame retardance and less residual stress, which can mean less cracking - important for effective disinfecting.
Novosanis VAX-ID - Novosanis, a device developer and producer active in the prevention, detection and treatment of infectious diseases and oncology, turned to SABIC for support when it created the VAX-ID vaccination device. It selected SABIC PCGR40, a polypropylene resin, as the housing material for a short, thin, almost invisible needle that can be used to administer vaccinations that penetrate only 1mm under the skin, lessening the stress of receiving a shot. The ultra-clear material with enhanced flow provides an extra level of patient safety due to its transparency and is compliant with EU and US medical regulations. The easy-to-use device is dose-sparing, with only 10% of the dose needing to be injected compared to regular flu shots in the muscle, which means more people can be vaccinated using the same amount of antigen.
Indusbello sterilization tray - Brazilian medical device maker Indusbello, in an effort to help reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), looked for a material for its sterilization trays that could provide design flexibility, enhanced productivity, and the ability to withstand the harsh demands of multi-sterilization environments, such as high-temperature steam autoclave and gamma irradiation. It opted for SABIC's ULTEM HU1004 resin, which also meets biocompatibility standards, is FDA-approved, and typically offers both transparency and good aesthetics. SABIC continues to work closely with its customers and the industry to understand the evolving sterilization technologies, such as hydrogen peroxide gas, in order to develop high-performance material solutions that can withstand those processes while retaining mechanical integrity. This can be a significant factor in prolonging the life of expensive medical equipment.
Beyond those applications being specifically highlighted at the K fair, SABIC also has a vast range of other healthcare-related materials and technologies that it can offer to that industry.
