Bacteria, microparticles and trapped air can all lead to complications
during infusion therapy. Infusion filters, such as the MediPure™ Adult
IV filters from ITW Medical, reduce the risk of contamination and thus
increase patient safety. The CYROLITE® medical plastic from Röhm
contributes to this improvement of patient outcome.
Infusions
allow a fast-acting and precisely dosed administration of medication in
intensive care, either directly via the blood stream or via fluids that
stabilize the circulatory system. However, sometimes bacteria or
minuscule foreign objects are introduced to the patient's blood
circulation in the process; for example, when infusion solutions are
contaminated or material particles detach when puncturing the rubber
plug. In these cases, myriad micro- and nanoparticles can circulate
during a 24-hour infusion therapy. Another risk of intravenous (IV)
infusions comes from air entering the vein, which, in the worst case,
could cause an air embolism. Inline infusion filters that are connected
to the infusion tube significantly lower these risks.
One such
filter is the MediPure™ Adult IV filter from ITW Medical, a manufacturer
of fluid management components for medical applications. Its portfolio
includes self-priming infusion filters that both block bacteria and
particles and divert air. Inside the filters are parallel chambers with a
polyethersulfone filter membrane with a pore diameter of 0.2 or 1.20
micrometers, depending on the product type. “The construction combines a
hydrophobic membrane for venting air that supports self-priming and a
hydrophilic filter membrane for bacterial retention,” explained Rutuja
Joshi, product developer at ITW Medical.
ITW Medical manufactures robust, transparent filter housings from CYROLITE CG-97. CYROLITE special molding compounds from Röhm are acrylic-based copolymers. They are specifically developed for medical devices and compliant with the USP Class IV and ISO 10993-1 regulatory requirements. “CYROLITE products are contact-compatible with medical fluids, medications as well as a wide range of oncology drugs and carriers. In addition, our CYROLITE CG-97 grade is highly resistant to disinfectants and lipids,” explained Maurice Biagini, commercial director medical at Röhm. “While the disinfectants resistance prevents stress cracking from contact with disinfectants, such as isopropyl alcohol, the lipid resistance ensures the retention of the housing’s mechanical performance . The excellent optical clarity of the material is maintained even after gamma sterilization.”
Its good processing properties mean that components made from CYROLITE are customizable, for example with different filter connections for the MediPure Adult IV filter.
Joshi explained why ITW Medical decided on CYROLITE CG-97: “The three decisive criteria for us were the sterilization ability, alcohol resistance and extraordinary transparency. We also place great importance on the material’s pressure resistance. After all, an infusion filter should not rip or burst under any circumstances, even if liquid accumulates in the system.”
“CYROLITE is one of the reasons why our filters can withstand pressure for such a long time,” emphasized the product developer from ITW. An increase in pressure resistance is a quality with which the medical technology company aims to stand out from the competition even more by introducing the next product generation. ITW Medical is relying on the proven CYROLITE CG-97 material from Röhm for the new MediPure Adult IV filters that are scheduled to be launched in 2021. www.roehm.com.