Radiopaque Compounds for Thin Wall Extrusions are Now Available

Dayville, CT (November 2001) - Radiopaque compounds for thin wall extrusions are now available as part of Foster's advanced materials solutions for rapidly evolving medical device market. Marketed under the tradename LoPro compounds, these formulations are specifically designed for reduced wall sections used in therapeutic and diagnostic medical device catheters.

Thermoplastics used in medical catheters, such as polyolefins, nylons and urethanes, are inherently transparent to x-rays. This is not a desirable characteristic for components requiring x-ray monitoring by a physician during a medical procedure. This is particularly true for catheters. Radiopaque fillers such as barium, bismuth and tungsten are often added to the plastic for therapeutic and diagnostic catheter applications.

Foster has been a leader in radiopaque compounds for medical devices for over a dozen years. Using radiopaque additives in loadings up to, and in some cases exceeding 40%, the company has provided a broad range of materials solutions for these components. Device requirements for increased lumen sizes while at the same time decreasing the outside tube diameters have substantially reduced catheter wall thickness. These changes have placed greater demands on material suppliers to use the suitable filler, loading, and dispersion techniques to achieve optimal radiopacity and surface finish of extruded and molded components.

Foster's LoPro radiopaque compounds are specifically designed to meet the challenges of thin wall extrusions in these medical applications. Foster's proprietary technology includes material preparation and processing techniques that enhance dispersion of radiopaque fillers and reduce agglomeration that causes surface roughness and irregularities.

According to Foster president Larry Acquarulo, "In the materials business, thin wall sections present the greatest challenges for consistency and quality. We have been able to go beyond raw materials and standard processing techniques to develop radiopaque compounds to meet the challenges presented by thin wall catheters. Our view is that the end product should be noticeable on x-ray, but otherwise it should look like any other plastic, regardless of the wall thickness."

LoPro radiopaque compounds are available in HDPE, nylons, urethanes, elastomers, fluoropolymers and other polymers commonly used in medical catheter applications. LoPro compounds represent the latest edition to Foster's emerging family of materials to meet the increasing challenges of the medical device market.

Foster Corporation is a global market leader in design, development and delivery of specialty thermoplastic solutions for medical, electronic and other niche industrial markets. The company also provides a broad range of material, process and design contract engineering services for these target markets. For more information, please call 860.774.3964.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Dan Lazas
610.458.2038