Ixef polyarylamide (PARA) resin from Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC, delivers high strength, rigidity, and moldability in new disposable surgical devices manufactured exclusively by Biorep Technologies, Miami, Fla., for Miami Instruments LLC, a medical device company dedicated to the design and development of specialized instrumentation for minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) procedures. The high-performance thermoplastic replaces stainless steel, allowing for more economical production of single-use surgical instruments.“Ixef PARA’s strength and rigidity is similar to stainless steel and it can also be molded, allowing us to eliminate machining and realize a major cost reduction over stainless steel,” said Felipe Echeverri, engineering director for Biorep Technologies.
The tip of the Miami Instruments LLC Joseph Lamelas Knot Pusher™ and the Visor™ support bracket and S-Blade of the Joseph Lamelas Atrial Lift System are made of Ixef 1022, a 50% glass-filled PARA compound that combines high stiffness with an ultra-smooth finish. The tensile and flexural strength of Ixef compounds are similar to many cast metals and alloys at ambient temperature. The molded black parts minimize light reflectivity for the surgeon. They also can be sterilized with gamma ray radiation without any significant change in appearance or loss of mechanical properties, thereby eliminating the cost associated with repeated steam sterilization of reusable instruments.
Biorep selected Ixef PARA over 30% glass-filled liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and 30% carbon-filled polyetheretherketone (PEEK) due to its higher rigidity and lower processing temperature (500°F [260°C]). The high-flow resin can also readily fill walls as thin as 0.02 inch (0.5 mm), even with glass loadings as high as 60%.
The hook-like tip on the knot pusher is 0.2 inches (5 mm) wide and 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) long. Meanwhile, the atrial lift retractor’s Visor support bracket (0.14 inches [3.56 mm] wide and 0.45 inches [11.43 mm] long) and S-Blade™ (1.4 inches [35.56 mm] wide and 0.5 inches [12.7 mm] long) are adhered together with a solvent bonding process or can be ultrasonically welded.
Ixef PARA resins demonstrate no evidence of cytotoxicity, sensitization, intracutaneous reactivity or acute systemic toxicity, based on biocompatibility testing as defined by ISO 10993:1.
Biorep is also developing other surgical instruments and is considering Ixef PARA resin for a range of metal replacement uses. The Joseph Lamelas Knot Pusher and the Joseph Lamelas Atrial Lift System™ are FDA registered products and are currently available in the U.S.
About Biorep Technologies
Biorep is a full-service, ISO 13485-certified, and FDA-compliant product development company with over 17 years of experience providing complete development services for medical and life sciences companies. The company specializes in discovering product opportunities, solving complex problems, and creating intellectual property to expand and protect client value in the market. Located in Miami, Biorep’s unique facilities consist of a development center featuring design, development, assembly, and testing capabilities.
Services include Human Factors Engineering, User Interface Design, Systems Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Software), Usability Testing, Pilot Production Support, and Regulatory Compliance. Experienced and dedicated teams of design and engineering professionals are focused on building lasting partnerships which ensure that technological innovations become a reality. Biorep's clients include universities and Fortune 500 companies. The company’s success and longevity in the product development industry is evidence of its commitment to delivering results and exceeding expectations. Learn more at www.biorep.com.
