Medical needleless injector made by Bayer's Makrolon polycarbonate

Avant Medical, a medical technology manufacturer based in San Diego, California, the US, is currently developing its Pulse Injection technology for needleless injection of medications.

The "Gen 3" device is capable of delivering up to 30 doses from a single medication reservoir. To make its product, Avant Medical utilizes both Makrolon Rx2530 polycarbonate and technical expertise from Bayer MaterialScience LLC.

The patented products from Avant Medical are intended for people who must frequently self-administer medications, or for use in a clinical setting by healthcare professionals. The Pulse Injection system is based on vacuum stabilization and two-stage delivery to ensure reliable and convenient injections. Each drug dose is delivered through a cassette with a nozzle component molded from Makrolon Rx2530. The injector provides a fluid pathway for the drug, while also generating a pulse that punctures the skin.

Another advantage offered by the Makrolon Rx2530 polycarbonate is its minimum color change after exposure to sterilizing doses of gamma radiation. The product also meets the requirements of the FDA-modified ISO 10993, "Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices" for 30-day indirect blood contact applications.

In addition, the nozzle of the needleless injector withstands up to 45 impacts, thereby meeting the 50% design safety margin required by international standards.

Makrolon from Bayer MaterialScience is finding increased use in medical components made of plastics. Medical device producers have used Makrolon to develop micro forceps, scissors (for ophthalmic surgery) and portable mini-injection pumps.

Polycarbonate offers numerous advantages as medical plastics, including high transparency, impact strength, drug resistance and good sterilizability.