BAYER'S LIPID-RESISTANT MAKROLON® POLYCARBONATE RESIN PROVIDES GREATER SAFETY IN INFUSION THERAPY

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BAYER'S LIPID-RESISTANT MAKROLON® POLYCARBONATE RESIN PROVIDES GREATER SAFETY IN INFUSION THERAPY
06 June 2001 - Bayer MaterialScience AG

Infusion systems make it possible for seriously ill patients to be given precisely the medicines and nourishment they need.

The materials used to manufacture these systems come into direct contact with blood and intravenous fluid products and are required to meet strict regulations with respect to biocompatibility, sterilizability, resistance and strength.

With this in mind, B. Braun Medical AG decided to use Bayer's Makrolon® Rx-1805 lipid-resistant polycarbonate resin as the material for its Discofix1 range of three-way stopcocks and manifolds. The Swiss subsidiary of the global B. Braun Group worked in cooperation with researchers at Bayer's Plastics Business Group during the development of this new grade of Makrolon polycarbonate.

'Three-way stopcocks and manifolds are the most highly stressed components of an infusion system. The crucial factor when it came to choosing the material was the superior stress-crack resistance displayed by Makrolon Rx-1805 when in contact with lipid emulsions,' explained Dr. Dirk Möckel, who works in the European marketing section of Bayer's Plastics Business Group and is responsible for the medical sector.

'The excellent dimensional stability of the resin also ensures that tube connections remain permanently secure.'

The three-way stopcocks are supplied in an individualsterile pack and are sterilized with ethylene oxide or gamma rays. Thanks to a special form of stabilization, exposure of the material to gamma radiation causes only slight discoloration that largely disappears with time.

The transparency of the polycarbonate makes the medical staff's work easier by allowing a fast and accurate visual check of the infusion procedure. 'This means a higher level of safety for both patients and staff,' said Möckel.

Simple, low-cost processing by injection molding is another benefit to Makrolon Rx- 1805, giving it a competitive edge over expensive specialty polymers like polysulfones and copolyamides.

Makrolon Rx-1805 complies with the strict requirements of ISO Standard 10993-1 for biocompatibility of plastics that are used in contact with human tissue for 30 days or less.

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About: Bayer MaterialScience AG
Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is part of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer employs 23,300 in North America with net North American sales of 8.8 billion euros in 2003. Bayer’s three operating business areas – HealthCare, CropScience and MaterialScience, improve people’s lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose and treat diseases, protect crops and advance automobile safety and durability.

Bayer MaterialScience AG is one of the world's largest producers of polymers and high-performance plastics. The main customers for Its innovative developments in coatings, adhesives, insulating materials and sealants, polycarbonates and polyurethanes are the automotive and construction industries, the electrical/electronics segment and manufacturers of sports and leisure goods, packaging, and medical devices.

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