Plastics in Medical Devices 2012

Increases in negative perceptions, studies, and regulatory actions against PVC has compounded regulatory headaches faced by medical-device designers, according to Elliott Pritikin of Teknor Apex Co., who spoke during the Plastics in Medical Devices 2012 conference in Westlake. Elliott, senior medical market manager for Pawtucket, R.I.-based Teknor...

PolyOne Corp. is finding opportunities for its Geon HC rigid PVC compounds as a result of the startling trend of hospital-acquired infections, according PolyOne's Joe Kutka. Kutka, global business development manager for PolyOne's Geon line, spoke during the Plastics in Medical Devices 2012 conference in Westlake. As a result of higher hospital-ac...

Biomaterial suppliers need to take measures to minimize liability exposure during the design and production of medical devices, legal expert Rick Stearns told the audience at the Plastics in Medical Devices 2012 conference in Westlake. Stearns, a partner at Washington-based law firm Keller and Heckman LLP addressed liability issues, as well as Food...

With something close to 8,500 resin-grade choices available in the medical arena, picking the right plastic becomes critical for medical-device makers, said Nexeo Solutions LLC’s Phil Juzwick during the Plastics in Medical Devices 2012 conference in Westlake. Juzwick details the material selection process in this latest Experts Speak video. Juzwick...

Understanding the product liability risks that run along the supply chain should be a top priority of medical-device makers, said lawyer Andrew Cox in an address during the Plastics in Medical Devices 2012 conference in Westlake, Ohio. Cox details the process in this latest Experts Speaks video. Cox, a partner with Cleveland-based law firm Thompson...

Fluoropolymer resins also are gaining ground in the medical area through applications such as catheters, heat-shrink tubing, sutures, biocontainment vessels, pre-filled syringes and inhaler components, according to John Felton of Daikin America Inc. Check out Felton’s discussion in this latest The Experts Speak video. Felton, Daikin market developm...

Collaboration can be an effective tool for plastics companies that want to tackle the medical-device market. Jeff Applegate, president of Blackwell Plastics Inc. since 2003, knows that firsthand. He founded Gulf Coast Medical Device Manufacturers, a Houston-area group formed to help local companies work together. At the recent Plastics in Medical D...

The benefits from metal-to-plastic part conversion cuts across all parts of the health-care industry, from device makers, doctors, hospitals and patients, according to Jay Haverstraw of PMC LLC. "It’s really predominately cost drivers, but there’s a bunch of side benefits to the other players in the food chain, so to speak," said Haverstraw, techni...

Companies in the medical-devices market need to maintain creativity, innovation and sustainable practices to remain viable, according to Chris Kaye of United States Endoscopy Group Inc. Kaye, vice president of research and technical innovation, spoke about plastics’ role in sustainable medical products at the recent Plastics in Medical Devices 2012...

Len Czuba started his presentation at Plastics in Medical Devices 2012 with a sharp tweet of a whistle he was dressed in his volleyball referee’s uniform to make a point. The president of Lombard, Ill.-based product development firm Czuba Enterprises Inc. spoke about the Food and Drug Administration’s role in the U.S. medical-device industry. Czu...