Medical Applications Beckon For New Cyclo-Olefin.The first major commercial application for new Topas cyclo-olefin copolymer copolymer: see polymer. (COC See chip on chip. ) from Ticona of Summit, N.J., was thermoformed blister packs for aspirin in Indonesia. The high-clarity engineering resin has also found optical and medical applications in Europe. Now there is a commercial medical use in the U.S.--injection blow molded diagnostic tubes for tuberculosis testing. Wheaton Plastics in Millville, N.J., molds the tubes for Becton Dickinson and Co., Franklin Lakes, N.J. To replace glass in these bacterial incubation tubes, BD chose COC over polycarbonate A category of plastic materials used to make a myriad of products, including CDs and CD-ROMs. for its high moisture barrier, so the nutrient media in the 16 x 100 mm tube has a shelf life of at least 12 months without the need for costly barrier packaging. In addition, the COC has almost no extractables and withstands autoclave autoclave Vessel, usually of steel, able to withstand high temperatures and pressures. The chemical industry uses various types of autoclaves in manufacturing dyes and in other chemical reactions requiring high pressures. steam sterilization steam sterilization, n the destruction of all forms of microbial life on an object by exposing the object to moist heat (under pressure) for 15 minutes at 121° C. . Wheaton project manager Earl Skinner says, "The COC processes much like PP. It blow molds easily and has a broad processing range. It also flows well, is dimensionally stable, and affords good repeatability." The tube has a uniform wall with minimum thickness of 0.03 in. The sealing surface is controlled to within 0.005 in., as opposed to 0.01 in. with glass. |
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