Digital spy

MATERIALS UPDATE

www.sanitized.com

SANITIZED BROADTECT PROTECTS POLYMERS AGAINST A WIDE RANGE OF MICRO-ORGANISMS

This newly developed product by Sanitized AG has high temperature resistance and is suitable for thermoplastic processing methods such as extrusion processes or injection moulding.

The new Sanitized product from the BroadTect portfolio features durable antimicrobial protection that is effective even after weathering. In addition, good antiviral efficacy on surfaces has been demonstrated.

This temperature-resistant, antimicrobial product is suitable for most thermoplastic polymers such as PE, PP, TPU, EVA, PVC, rubber (EPDM, NBR, SBR) that are used in the extrusion process or in injection moulding. It is compatible with commonly used additives, making it usable for an abundance of applications.

Christine Niklas, Product Manager, said: “With the new product for polymers, we offer the polymer industry an innovative, versatile, multi-protection product that ensures comprehensive, durable antimicrobial protection from any microorganisms.”

NEWS UPDATE www.medneteurope.com/en

MEDNET EXTENDS TUBING PORTFOLIO

MedNet, a Germany-based supplier and manufacturer of medical and pharmaceutical components, has expanded its comprehensive portfolio of tubing with additional materials and configurations.

As well as an increased range of tube sizes, the portfolio now covers materials including silicone, PU/ PUR, Acrolene XP (a flexible TPE), LLDPE/PE, and PVC.

The material selection allows designers to manage key mechanical and chemical properties ranging from shore hardness, flexibility over kink and temperature resistance to bondability. Medical grades can be DEHP or plasticiser free and are suitable for a range of sterilisation procedures.

The MedNet tubing as well as various other unsterile components for medical and industrial applications can be found in MedNet‘s online catalog under www.medneteurope.com/ components.

RECYCLING UPDATE

www.cromwellpolythene.co.uk

Cromwell Polythene invests in UK manufacturing and recycling operations

Cromwell Polythene continues to strengthen its UK recycling and manufacturing operations, to help businesses protect themselves and the environment during the pandemic.

Investment has been made in new machinery and upgrades to existing machines at its UK manufacturing and recycling site, CPR Manufacturing. This has improved processes and increased energy efficiency to help meet the Climate Change Agreement obligations, as well as increasing capacity for film extrusion and bag making, in recycled and virgin polythene.

MD James Lee said: “Our comprehensive range of products is designed to prompt responsible waste disposable and recycling behaviour, whilst helping to keep people safe and minimise infection risk.”

RECYCLING UPDATE

vinylplus.eu/community/vinylplus-med

VinylPlus Med accelerates sustainability in healthcare

VinylPlus has unveiled a new collaborative project called VinylPlus Med that aims to accelerate sustainability in healthcare across Europe through the recycling of discarded single-use PVC medical devices.

Adequate sorting and recycling of noninfectious plastic waste can significantly reduce the environmental impact of hospitals and their operational costs. The scheme will focus on clean and REACH-compliant PVC waste that can be recycled into a wide range of value products marketed across Europe. Brigitte Dero, Managing Director of VinylPlus, said: “Starting with a pilot project in Belgium, we are excited to make medical plastics more circular together with our partners.”

APPROVAL UPDATE

www.cardiacsense.com

CardiacSense medical grade watch receives CE Mark for continuous detection of atrial fibrillation

CardiacSense has received the CE Mark for marketing and sales of the device in the European Union.

The indications certified include ‘detection of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)’ and ‘monitoring of Heart Rate Variability (HRV)’ with continuous Photoplethysmography (PPG) and spot Electrocardiogram (ECG).

Data from two clinical trials reviewed for the CE Mark demonstrated accurate detection of A-Fib by continuous PPG of over 99 per cent.

The company has launched clinical trials to receive regulatory certification for additional vital signs including continuous respiratory rate, core temperature, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and other arrhythmias. CEO and Co-Founder Eldad Shemesh said: “CardiacSense is the first and only company to receive CE Mark certification for continuous PPG wristbased monitoring at the individual heart beat level and arrhythmias detection, a milestone that will enable us to implement the distribution agreements we have signed in 15 countries.”

talking POINT

www.freudenberg.com/ careers/freudenberg-medical

SVEN ROSENBEIGER, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, GBU THERMOPLASTICS, FREUDENBURG MEDICAL.

Tell us a little bit about the history of the company.

Freudenberg Medical is a contract manufacturer of medical components and minimally invasive device solutions with 11 locations worldwide. The Baldwin Park, California, operation was established in 1997 and is focused on medical thermoplastics with 72,000 sq.ft., three ISO Class 8 cleanrooms, two assembly rooms, a metrology lab, and advanced automation and in-line vision systems.

What does the recent expansion mean for Freudenberg in terms of getting muchneeded medical devices to market quickly?

Dedicated machines for high volume demand and 24/7 production.

How does the machinery/software help to maintain strict quality standards?

New machines are able to keep tighter tolerances and process parameters. The Battenfeld machine has integrated equipment for in-process visual inspection capability to ensure quality.

Which machinery manufacturers are involved in the partnership?

Machinery from ARBURG and from Wittmann Battenfeld were selected for this ongoing project.

Which end markets are these products destined for?

Our recent expansion of injection molding technology supports the manufacture of diagnostic test kits including covid-19 test kits and analyzer products for the in-vitro diagnostic market.

REASONS WHY TEQPROPYLENE WORKS FOR EVERY MEDICAL PACKAGING PROJECT

EUROPEAN SALES DIRECTOR AT TEQ ANNE-SOPHIE BELAMINE LISTS THE 2021 TRENDS IN MEDICAL PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS, AND WHY TEQ PROVIDES THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR ANY PROJECT.

For many years, PETG has been the ‘go-to’ material of choice for medical packaging for its clarity and sterilizing capabilities. However, with the ever-growing concern for recyclability and the California Legislation AB 906 changing the recycling classification of PETG, consumers have been looking for alternate materials to produce their packaging. Polypropylene has emerged as a great alternative material, and TEQ offers a unique blend of polypropylene as a packaging solution. TEQpropylene, or ‘TEQp’ for short, is comparable to PETG in many ways. Here are the top 10 reasons why packaging suppliers should switch to TEQp for your next packaging project.

COST SAVINGS

Compared to PETG, TEQp has a 30 per cent cost savings, making it a much more cost-effective material to use for most projects.

LIGHTWEIGHT

TEQp is the lightest of all of TEQ polymers, resulting in a lighter, thinner but stronger finished package.

VERSATILE TEMPERATURE RANGE

TEQp can be put through a microwave, freezer and anything in between without compromising the quality of the package.

ELASTICITY AND TOUGHNESS

According to design engineering consultants Creative Mechanisms, ‘Polypropylene will act with elasticity over a certain range of deflection (like all materials), but it will also experience plastic deformation early on in the deformation process, so it is generally considered a “tough” material. Toughness is an engineering term which is defined as a material’s ability to deform (plastically, not elastically) without breaking.’

CLARITY

TEQp has a clarifying additive that makes this material comparable to PETG, so packaging manufacturers can take advantage of all of the qualities of PP without compromising on clarity.

STERILISABLE

Studies show that polypropylene can be sterilised with EtO, EBeam, Gamma (with additives to stabilize the material), and some autoclave, making it highly suited to medical packaging. For a closer look at what materials stand up to different sterilising methods, Industrial Specialties Mfg and IS MED has produced this definitive article.

Studies show that polypropylene can be sterilised with EtO, EBeam, Gamma, and some autoclave, making it highly suited to medical packaging

SEALABILITY

TEQp can become a complete sterile barrier system package when sealed a DuPont Tyvek lid. No sterility is compromised by switching materials.

POPULARITY

Polypropylene continues to rise in popularity with research showing that end users are buying more and more polypropylene for their packaging products because of its functional, durable, and clear properties.

SUSTAINABILITY

Not only does TEQp produce lower fuel consumption and lower emissions, but it also results in less solid waste by weight than PET, PS, or PVC. Brand owners including Starbucks and McDonald’s have switched to the use of polypropylene in cold cups rather than PET, as it uses less plastic and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

RECYCLABILITY

TEQp can be 100 per cent recycled as per the United States FTC guidelines.

Watch this space

CEO OF PHYSIQ GARY CONKRIGHT DISCUSSES THE SUCCESS OF ITS COLLABORATIVE STUDY ALONGSIDE PURDUE UNIVERSITY AND THE FUTURE OF WEARABLES.

If successful, this study could enable wearable devices to slow or stop the infection rates of COVID-19. What would this mean for the wearable devices/biometrics industries?

Wearable biosensors provide rich 24/7 physiological data, but AI like physIQ’s is needed to turn all of that data into real insight. The objective is to identify the earliest signs of decompensation that results from a COVID infection, thus the funding by the National Institutes of Health to support our development of the CDI, or COVID Decompensation Index. Early detection using the data available from the Samsung Galaxy Watch could translate into early clinical intervention, reduced hospital admissions, less intubations and less deaths for this pandemic, and in the future. Enabling proactive medicine, replacing the reactive medicine approach that is currently in place, is the promise of digital medicine.

WHICH VARIABLES COULD INHIBIT THE SUCCESS OF THE STUDY?

We have conducted many studies like this using the Samsung Galaxy watch and are very confident that our collaboration with Purdue will also be successful. Purdue is already at the 30 per cent mark for their enrollment and so far, the data collection and response from those who participated in the study is excellent.

WHAT WOULD MAKE SUCH A WEARABLE DEVICE MORE APPEALING THAN PERHAPS DOWNLOADING A TRACK AND TRACE APP, FOR EXAMPLE?

These are two very different use cases. The work we are doing with Purdue University is around enabling early detection, which most physicians and researchers believe is the key to better clinical outcomes. Track and trace seeks to minimize the spread of infection to others once a person becomes infected. However, there may be benefit to earlier detection for an infected patient, to get them into isolation sooner, thus reducing the possibility of transmission.

HOW DOES AN INDUSTRY PLAYER GO ABOUT GAINING CORROBORATION FROM A CLINICIAN OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL?

The demands for clinical research have always been high for any disease, but particularly so for COVID-19. When a researcher looks to partner with a firm like physIQ, they look for expertise in the practice of clinical studies and a commitment to meeting or exceeding the demands of various regulatory bodies. PhysIQ has a proven track record and evidence, such as our 5 FDA clearances, that provides the confidence that healthcare professionals need.

FINALLY, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO REMAIN SCEPTICAL ABOUT PERSONAL DATA COLLECTION OF THIS KIND?

It is the new frontier of digital health. More and more wearable devices are becoming available, and people want to take their health into their own hands. Especially in this current COVID-19 world, not everyone wants to go to the doctor or hospital anymore and risk exposure to the virus. By combining this personal data collection and personalized data analysis that is only available from leveraging the power of AI, with a world class university, we can work together to beat this virus and get students, faculty and staff back to campus safely.

COAT OF ARMS

ADDMASTER CEO PAUL MORRIS RECENTLY RECEIVED ROYAL RECOGNITION FOR HIS WORK IN THE UK COATINGS INDUSTRY. HERE HE SPEAKS TO MPN ABOUT HIS COMPANY’S EFFORTS TO MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER PLACE.

Tell us how Addmaster has helped take some of the strain away from medical and healthcare professionals over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic?

It would be unfair to say we have taken the strain, as medical professionals are physically on the frontline risking their lives every day. What we have done is remained operational throughout the pandemic, supporting our clients to offer products and surfaces that boast improved hygiene and, through Biomaster, prevent bacteria and viruses from growing on them.

Much of this has been a fast-track process and this has been a complex challenge, with Addmaster staff socially distancing or working from home. We have overcome it, but it has required an enormous amount of hard work and dedication to the cause.

Which markets are the company’s products best suited to serve and why?

With regards to Addmaster, I would have to say every market as we can be found in everything from a Dyson Airblade (antibacterial) to expensive sports equipment (anticounterfeit) to eco-friendly ground membranes (oil digestion).

Our most well-known technology is Biomaster and this antimicrobial/ antiviral technology can be found across all product areas and in all corners of the globe

Which materials are they best suited to treat?

If we are focussing on Biomaster then the technology can be applied on porous surfaces (textiles and paper) and polymers, coatings and paints. The range has been developed over the last 20 years to be market-leading technology and has led the way with SARS-CoV-2 testing (the virus that causes Covid-19).

This means that Biomaster can give up to 99 per cent protection just four hours after it has been added to products, preventing any bacteria or virus growing on everyday items.

How can UK-based expertise such as yours help remind your European clients and counterparts that Britain remains at the forefront of industry, as well as innovation?

Brexit has not helped at all with any EU relationships, which is why most businesses were firmly on the ‘Remain’ side of the debate. Even in its most basic repercussion, we know European clients tried to find alternatives to our technology to avoid tariffs (and why wouldn’t they?) and we all know the danger of our customers talking to competitors. However, the strength of the product offering and our close relationship with EU partners has enabled us to ride the rough seas the Brexit negotiations brought. This has been further reinforced with Addmaster becoming part of the Sweden-owned Polygiene group as part of a multimillion pound deal. The acquisition brings together our expertise in antimicrobial technologies on hard surfaces with the parent group’s longstanding reputation in odour control and antiviral solutions for textiles.

On a wider note, the UK will continue to be seen as a centre of excellence for innovations and entrepreneurialism, and now we at least know the way forward with the Brexit deal finally passing. It’s time to focus on those qualities again.

Finally, what does royal recognition of your services mean to you personally, as well as professionally?

Personally, I never believed that I would get recognised in such a way, so it’s a huge honour for me. It’s a bit of a cliché, but the Addmaster team are the ones that have earned it though, as what they have done in the last 20 years is phenomenal and no person can do it on their own. In short, I owe this award to them and my amazing family for supporting me on the journey.

Professionally, I know many people thought I was crazy when I had the idea to create Addmaster on a platform of licensed toll manufacturing, so I could spend more time on R&D with clients. So for me, it is tremendously rewarding to get this honour on top of all the success that Addmaster has enjoyed – and to confirm that, in this short life we have, you have to follow your dreams, not the flock.