Bayer Materialscience's Makrolon® Polycarbonate Injects Advanced Protection Into New Integrated Needleless Access Connector

At a time when exposure to infectious diseases such as AIDS and Hepatitis B are of grave concern, needleless technology has provided a safe way to protect patients and clinicians from accidental needle-stick injuries. Over the past 15 years needleless systems have continued to evolve, as have the accessory devices used with them.

Accessories like Medegen's new Tru-Swab™ Needleless Access Connector (NAC™) Y-site with integrated check valve are making needleless technology even easier to incorporate into today's fast-paced medical environment. The device, which measures 1.56 inches long by .87 inches wide, can be used in a variety of applications, such as anesthesia and intravenous (IV) fluid delivery.

Medegen is the only OEM to offer an integrated check valve in the needleless access Y-site, according to Janice Tarwater, marketing manager, Medegen Medical Manufacturing Services, who explains that integrating the check valve reduces assembly time and expense. Made with Makrolon® Rx1805 polycarbonate resin from Bayer MaterialScience, the check valve features increased resistance to chemical attack from IV fluid products, such as lipid emulsions, and "true swabability," meaning the valves can be readily disinfected and reactivated.

"With its balance of high strength, toughness, clarity, processibility, bondability, lipid resistance, biocompatibility and radiation sterilization stability, Makrolon Rx1805 has been shown to be effective in a number of medical component applications," said George Paleos, medical market manager, Bayer MaterialScience. "We're pleased Medegen selected Makrolon polycarbonate for this innovative application."

Makrolon Rx1805 polycarbonate resin is a highly transparent, robust grade that offers excellent bonding with PVC tubing and helps alleviate cracking in high-stress medical device applications where there is contact with IV fluids. The material is an excellent choice for luers, tubing connectors, Y-site medication ports, stopcocks and other similar applications. Furthermore, Makrolon Rx1805 resin meets the biocompatibility requirements of FDA-modified ISO 10993, Part 1, in selected tints and colors. The material withstands sterilization by radiation, ethylene oxide and steam autoclaving.

"Makrolon from Bayer was just what the doctor ordered for this breakthrough new product," said Tarwater. "We wanted the product to not only offer an unprecedented integrated design, but also to perform well in a real-world medical environment.

"By using Makrolon polycarbonate we have been able to achieve design and performance excellence. The valve is lipid-resistant and able to withstand normal cleaning agents encountered in medical settings. The material's performance has exceeded our expectations and is a valuable asset to our product."