New Injury Stop safety syringe based on Hostaform POM medical grade from Celanese
Celanese Corporation showcased at K 2013 a new Injury Stop syringe that is based on its Hostaform acetal copolymer (POM), one of the medical technology polymers in the MT portfolio.
IBT systémes médicaux généraux and Société Plastique De Savoie, both from France, developed a novel safety mechanism for the new safety syringe that is designed to reduce the risk of becoming infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV following accidental needle-stick injuries.
After an injection, the healthcare worker rotates a piston 90°, which retracts the piston and part of the syringe, including the needle, into the barrel of the syringe where it is locked for safe disposal. This simple procedure can help prevent accidental contact with the needle tip, especially for healthcare workers in developing countries.
"A single needle-stick injury can seriously endanger life. Healthcare workers helping others are especially at risk, and, where help is required the most, conventional safety syringes are too expensive to use," said Wendy Johnson, Medical Marketing Manager, Engineered Materials.
Hostaform MT8U01 combines good processability with dimensional stability and strong sliding properties, which enabled the development team to reduce the cost of this innovative product, said Celanese. The new product is 50% cheaper than conventional safety syringes.
This cost saving can help medical facilities in developing countries, such as Africa and South America, effectively protect their healthcare workers from infections from accidental needle-stick injuries.
"The engineered materials team at Celanese is pleased the developers at IBT systémes médicaux généraux and Société Plastique De Savoie succeeded in this safety syringe, based on Hostaform POM, that makes this important safety technology affordable and available worldwide," says Mr. Johnson.
