MPMN: April 1997
Industry Players Gather
at MD&M West '97
Held February 1013, 1997
The MD&M West '97 Conference and Exposition in Anaheim, CA, drew more than 8000 medical device manufacturers seeking a variety of materials, components, equipment, and services. They had plenty to see as nearly 900 exhibitors displayed their products and services.
Among the many companies presenting their newly developed products was Colder Products Co., which introduced a line of quick-disconnect couplings for media handling and other fluid-transfer applications. The MPC- and MPX-series couplings are designed to be used in cell culture media handling, diagnostic manufacturing, MAb production, buffer solutions, cell harvest and collection, WFI-quality water, and other critical fluid management areas. The couplings find use on flexible containers from 5 to 3000 L, and are suitable for use in all types of bioprocessing facilities. Colder Products Co. is a leading producer of quick-disconnect couplings for low-pressure fluid management applications. For more information, call Colder Products Co. at 612/603-2511.
At a press conference, Rexam Medical Packaging announced the introduction of the company's new Integra Peel LFM laminations. Based on Rexam's peelable resin technology, the product was developed for use in radiation-sterilized packaging applications. Incorporating paper, film, or foil, the product is available as preformed pouches or rollstock. Jeremy Harvey, Rexam's business director, suggested that device manufacturers currently utilizing heat-seal-coated materials to achieve peelability should consider the laminations to achieve cost reductions and improved performance. According to Harvey, the new laminates provide superb peelability and the barrier properties required by medical device manufacturers. Typical packaging applications include gloves, sutures, specialty dressings, pressure-sensitive electro-pads, IV sets, liquids, and other pharmaceutical and medical device applications. For more information, call Rexam Medical Packaging at 800/918-6393.
The sizable interest of medical device manufacturers in tubing extrusion was demonstrated Monday by overflow attendance at the ExtruMed Inc. facility tour. Held in conjuction with MD&M West '97, the tour offered attendees a chance to see firsthand how close-tolerance medical tubing is designed and produced.
ExtruMed specializes in the production of small-diameter, single- and multilumen catheter tubing (straight, tapered, coextruded, and striped), as well as heat-shrink tubing and high-strength radiation-crosslinked balloons. Additional services include rapid turnaround of both prototype or production runs and extrusion die design and fabrication. For more information, call ExtruMed at 714/282-8600.
Alloyd featured its two-station heat-seal machine with a new optional data-acquisition system. The new system was developed because of device manufacturers' need to meet more stringent requirements for traceability. The system offers the ability to completely track pressure, temperature, sealing time, and the date and time of each packaging cycle. Manufacturers can set a SKU number for a specific product, and the computer will set the controls on the blister machine. The machine's password-protectable features ensure consistency from cycle to cycle. For more information, call Alloyd at 800/756-7639.
ViroMed Expands Testing Services
Acquires Axios Inc.
ViroMed Laboratories Inc. has expanded its capabilities with the acquisition of Axios Inc., a laboratory specializing in testing for the medical device industry. The acquisition adds to ViroMed's testing services in the areas of biocompatibility, microbiology/quality assurance support, sterilization validation, reuse validation, and viral safety/validation testing.
All members of the Axios staff will remain with the company. "With its outstanding reputation for quality and impressive list of clients, Axios was a perfect fit into our strategy for being a leader in laboratory testing for the medical device industry, and an opportunity for us to establish a stronger ViroMed presence in the fast-growing southeast area of the country," says ViroMed founder and president, Bonita Baskin. For more information, contact ViroMed Laboratories Inc. at 612/939-4234.
Colorado MEDtech to Acquire Novel Biomedical
Kagan to remain Novel's president
Colorado MEDtech Inc. has announced that it will acquire Novel Biomedical Inc., a company specializing in the custom design, development, and manufacture of unique disposable medical devices.
According to John V. Atanasoff, Colorado MEDtech's president and CEO, "This is a strategic acquisition which will not only enhance our design, development, and manufacturing capabilities, but will also provide the basis for the development of proprietary interventional medical devices."
Jonathan Kagan, president and founder of Novel, says, "We are excited at becoming part of the Colorado MEDtech organization. Their reputation, market penetration, and financial strength will provide the momentum for both increasing our custom development and manufacturing business as well as our future introduction of proprietary products." Kagan will remain as president of the Novel operation.
Colorado MEDtech develops, manufactures, and markets computerized diagnostic testing equipment for use in respiratory care. Its wholly owned subsidiary, RELA Inc., is a custom developer and manufacturer of diagnostic and therapeutic devices for the health-care industry. For more information, contact Colorado MEDtech at 303/530-2660.
Medical Packaging Company Hires Disabled
Now has more than 125 employees
For more than 20 years, Opportunity Inc. has been providing a place where developmentally, physically, and emotionally disabled people can find meaningful work. The nonprofit company specializes in medical packaging and works with such companies as Baxter International. It was founded in 1976 by John Cornell, a Chicago businessman and parent of a child with developmental disabilities. "Opportunity Inc.'s mission is to help people with disabilities develop to their fullest potential," says Larry Rosser, president and chief executive officer.
Opportunity Inc. has seen its annual revenues grow from $26,000 to $2.6 million. Today it has more than 125 employees. For more information, contact Opportunity Inc. at 847/831-9400.
Pall Corp. and Gelman Sciences Merge
The companies offer filtration, system engineering, and separations solutions
Pall Corp. and Gelman Sciences merged on February 3, 1997. The two companies offer a variety of filtration, system engineering, and separations solutions. In the health-care OEM market, the companies provide membranes and devices used in liquid and gas filtration, IV therapy, hemodialysis, venting, and contamination control.
"The merger gives our OEM customers access to new materials and technical expertise," says Mark Sutter, Gelman Sciences vice president and general manager of the OEM Health Care business. New membranes and devices joining the Gelman Sciences OEM product line include Pall nylon and PTFE membranes, disposable respiratory filters, and filters for lipid emulsions.
"Filtration and separation technologies are emerging as value-added integrated components to virtually every disposable system that interfaces with the patient or sensitive equipment," says Sam Wortham, Pall Corp. group vice president. "The merger recognizes this opportunity and expands the utilization through keen focus on OEM opportunities and their customer's needs." For more information, call Pall Corp. at 516/484-3600 or Gelman Sciences at 313/913-6522.
Designhaus Receives International Design Award
Award recognizes its design of a new ultrasound system
Designhaus Inc. has been honored with the International Design Award by International Design magazine for its design of Acoustic Imaging's CSA 2000 ultrasound system. The award recognizes the product's ergonomic interface.
Designhaus provides product development services to various medical market areas, including biomedical, electrosurgical, instrumentation, patient monitors, radiology, and respiratory. Some of its services include industrial design, ergonomic analysis, ProE design engineering, CDRS CAD rendering, materials and mold design analysis, FDA review support, plastic-part design, and production support. For more information, call Designhaus Inc. at 206/343-7581.
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