CASTEL MELLA, Italy—Polymer group Datwyler Holding Co. is doing its part to reduce needlestick injuries.
Datwyler supported med-tech company Roncadelle Operations in the development of an intuitive safety syringe, called SafeR syringes. To eliminate needlestick injuries, the new safety syringe includes a needle retraction mechanism, for which Datwyler contributed rubber plungers that have a "unique shape with a hole in the center," the Swiss manufacturer said in an Oct. 6 statement.
The rubber plungers, it said, make an important contribution to ensuring that safety mechanisms function perfectly at all times and that the needle is safely retracted after a single use.
Datwyler also contributed its more than 40 years of medical design knowledge and knowhow for the selection of the key materials and sealing options.
"The polyisoprene-based compound used for the plungers meets the most demanding application requirements," said Datwyler.
The compound is latex-free and offers consistent physical properties with the hardness of the material, the tensile strength and the compression set remaining unchanged for the lifetime of the syringe.
The patented SafeR syringe features a "one-touch" needle retraction mechanism upon completion of the injection, as well as auto disable, re-use prevention and sharp injury protection safety mechanisms in one device.
"This innovation is a result of intensive teamwork between Datwyler and Roncadelle Operations," said Erik Ryckalts, CEO of Roncadelle Operations. "We had a clear vision for the final product, and Datwyler contributed industry knowledge and a deep understanding of materials and medical device design to make it a reality within a very short timeline."
Commercial production of SafeR will start in Italy in early 2022, according to Datwyler.