HAI Prevention Has an Ally: New PolyOne TPEs Feature Enhanced Resistance to Antiseptics

February 9, 2016

ANAHEIM, Calif. – To help medical device manufacturers develop ways to address healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), PolyOne is launching two new medical-grade GLS™ TPE products here at MD&M West (Booth #848).

New Versaflex™ HC overmolding thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for medical device housings offer enhanced resistance to commonly used antiseptic cleaners. They also feature excellent bonding to plastics with improved chemical resistance, such as rigid PVC, co-polyesters, PC/polyethylene terephthalate, rigid thermoplastic urethanes and polyetherimide, many of which are now replacing traditional substrate materials. Available in two Shore A hardnesses, Versaflex HC grades can also be customized to achieve desired haptic qualities.

“Initiatives to prevent HAIs, such as tying Medicare reimbursement levels to patient protection, are driving changes in medical devices,” said Charles Page, global marketing director, PolyOne GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers. “As the global leader in TPEs for overmolding applications, PolyOne took the initiative by developing specialty materials that support HAI prevention while improving the useful life and performance of medical devices. Customers now have new options for creating long-lasting products that advance patient safety.” 

After repeated exposure to antiseptics, the new TPE grades resist overmolding delamination, cracking and loss of resilience. Customers have reported that devices made with Versaflex HC TPEs successfully withstood 10,000 antiseptic wipes. Further, these grades are compatible with PolyOne’s OnColor™ HC Plus USP Class VI-compliant colorants, which resist fading from repeated antiseptic use. 

Both grades, designed for two-shot injection molding, provide a soft touch and grippy feel to enhance ergonomics, comfort and ease of use for housings of hand-held scanners, patient monitors, infusion pumps, defibrillators, reusable surgical devices and other durable medical devices. With a Shore A hardness of 48, Versaflex HC 1348 is slightly softer than Versaflex HC 1365, which has a durometer of 65A and a matte finish.  

About PolyOne
PolyOne Corporation, with 2015 revenues of $3.4 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. The company is dedicated to serving customers in diverse industries around the globe, by creating value through collaboration, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Guided by its Core Values, Sustainability Promise and No Surprises PledgeSM, PolyOne is committed to its customers, employees, communities and shareholders through ethical, sustainable and fiscally responsible principles. For more information, visit www.polyone.com.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Based on a multi-state HAI prevalence survey, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that an estimated 722,000 HAIs per year occur in U.S acute care hospitals (source: http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/surveillance/). A key strategy for HAI prevention is rigorous and frequent cleaning of medical devices with strong antiseptics such as alcohol, ammonia, bleach and peroxide. 

©istockphoto.com/PolyOne

Caption: New Versaflex™ HC overmolding thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for device housings offer enhanced resistance to commonly used antiseptic cleaners used in hospitals.

EDITORS: For a high-resolution image, please click here: Hospital Room

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Media contact

Sandy Wagner
Marketing Communications Manager
PolyOne GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers
+1 815-759-2676
sandy.wagner@avient.com