Medical Device Link.

Originally Published EMDM October 2002

PRODUCT UPDATE

On the market for more than 30 years, Tyvek features a combination of properties beneficial to nearly all forms of sterile medical packaging. The material developed by DuPont Medical Packaging (Luxembourg) offers resistance to microbial penetration, a clean peel, tear strength, puncture resistance, and compatibility with all major sterilization methods. The breathable structure enables sterilizing gasses to fully penetrate the product and disperse rapidly for high throughput of sterilization processes.

"Tyvek offers all of the best characteristics of paper, film, and fabric in one material," says business manager Claude Metzdorf. "This balance of properties, which can't be found in any other material, makes Tyvek lightweight yet strong, vapour permeable, and water and chemical resistant, as well as puncture, tear, and abrasion resistant," he adds.

The company recently introduced Tyvek 2FS as a premium alternative to medical paper for sterile packaging applications. It is manufactured from 100% high-density polyethylene by means of a proprietary flash-spinning technology. The material withstands all traditional forms of sterilization as well as the low-temperature Sterrad process.

Tyvek can be used in both coated and noncoated formats. It is suited for pouches, lid stock, breather patches, and flexible form-fill-seal applications. Dupont produces Tyvek at its plants in Richmond, VA, USA, which is certified to ISO 9002, and in Luxembourg, which is certified to ISO 9001.

Copyright ©2002 European Medical Device Manufacturer