PolyOne Corporation, a US specialty materials supplier, has introduced the NEU View Radiopaque Translucent Solutions for catheter manufacturers and healthcare professionals.

Catheters made using the patent-pending NEU View technology provide optical visibility (translucent) when outside the body and superior visibility under X-ray (radiopaque) when inside the body.

This solution provides significant advantages when compared with existing striped radiopaque catheters, which offer less X-ray visibility and may require multiple manufacturing steps and materials to produce, according to PolyOne.

This technology enhances the ability of clinicians to make visual confirmation of fluid flow and can allow for detection of potentially harmful air bubbles that might cause embolisms, while patients can experience greater comfort via use of a single catheter. Manufacturers of catheters can benefit through increased production efficiency by eliminating a need for co-extrusion, which is typically required to manufacture striped catheters, as well as reducing material usage and complexity.

"PolyOne continues to innovate and develop technologies that benefit our global customers and enable healthcare professionals to improve performance," says Craig Nikrant, President, Global Specialty Engineered Materials, PolyOne Corporation. "Catheter manufacturers can now offer a commercially viable product that provides excellent visibility, both optically and under X-ray, enabling performance improvements and efficiencies in the healthcare field."

"PolyOne's specialization strategy is powered by our exceptional ability to innovate, and our launch of NEU View materials is the latest example," comments Robert M. Patterson, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, PolyOne Corporation. "Our healthcare solutions portfolio continues to grow, as does our mix in this important industry, where last year company revenues from healthcare reached US$413 million, as compared to US$103 million in 2006."

PolyOne Corporation, a US specialty materials supplier, has introduced the NEU View Radiopaque Translucent Solutions for catheter manufacturers and healthcare professionals.

Catheters made using the patent-pending NEU View technology provide optical visibility (translucent) when outside the body and superior visibility under X-ray (radiopaque) when inside the body.

This solution provides significant advantages when compared with existing striped radiopaque catheters, which offer less X-ray visibility and may require multiple manufacturing steps and materials to produce, according to PolyOne.

This technology enhances the ability of clinicians to make visual confirmation of fluid flow and can allow for detection of potentially harmful air bubbles that might cause embolisms, while patients can experience greater comfort via use of a single catheter. Manufacturers of catheters can benefit through increased production efficiency by eliminating a need for co-extrusion, which is typically required to manufacture striped catheters, as well as reducing material usage and complexity.

"PolyOne continues to innovate and develop technologies that benefit our global customers and enable healthcare professionals to improve performance," says Craig Nikrant, President, Global Specialty Engineered Materials, PolyOne Corporation. "Catheter manufacturers can now offer a commercially viable product that provides excellent visibility, both optically and under X-ray, enabling performance improvements and efficiencies in the healthcare field."

"PolyOne's specialization strategy is powered by our exceptional ability to innovate, and our launch of NEU View materials is the latest example," comments Robert M. Patterson, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, PolyOne Corporation. "Our healthcare solutions portfolio continues to grow, as does our mix in this important industry, where last year company revenues from healthcare reached US$413 million, as compared to US$103 million in 2006."