LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.—Medical products manufacturer Flexan L.L.C. has developed central venous catheters based on a special polyurethane material that enters the body rigid but then becomes softer.
Flexan designed the CVC to avoid the risks to patients during insertion and positioning, protecting them from complications that arise when vessels and nerves are injured. The CVC also is intended to help with reducing the potential of fatal infections.
These types of catheters typically are inserted into the upper or lower vena cava—just before the right atrium of the heart—via a large vein near the heart.
"We were able to mold with a urethane material that is inserted into the body in a rigid state, but immediately becomes softer there due to the body temperature," said Eric King, Flexan vice president and general manager, said in a statement. "This plays an important role in reducing complications in catheter positioning."
The PU was subsequently used to overmold thin-walled 5FR triple-lumen, 4FR double-lumen, and 3FR single-lumen small diameter PICCs.
Flexan also designed and manufactured a 4FR catheter that have the same lumen as conventional 5FR catheters, but a 14 percent smaller diameter.
Flexan is a global manufacturer of elastomer parts for industry applications. It operates out of four plants with about 800 employees. The company's Lincolnshire operation specializes in cleanroom-manufactured silicone rubber components for implantable medical devices.