Trelleborg uses older technology for new solutions

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Trelleborg Healthcare and Medical developed tubing technology years ago that allows for complex designs, and it still continues to offer new possibilities for products such as wound drains and catheters.

Branded as GeoTrans, the extrusion technology also simplifies assembly and can shorten the design validation process, Trelleborg officials said at the Medical Design & Manufacturing West trade show.

The patented process can be used to separate one lumen into two, or combine two lumens into one, or change the dimension of tubing manufactured with high consistency rubber silicone, which has a grade strength that allows its shape to be changed.

During extrusion, cross sections of the tubing can be changed substantially by moving tool components.

"GeoTrans isn't new to the marketplace, but we have the ability to continue to refine the technology and make it more precise to meet our customers' needs," said Kevin Ehlert, segment manager of the health care and medical unit of Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, which is part of Trelleborg Group. "That's where we're going. We're applying it to new technologies and emerging applications,"

Another trend for the medical unit is ultra-thin catheters for neurological applications and wound drains, which consist of a tube and two components that can be extruded together.

Geometric transitions also are used to extrude bifurcated tubing—comprised of a two-lumen tube, two single-lumen tubes, and a molded hub—in one process.

While simple extrusion is faster, reducing the number of component cuts on the amount of assembly work needed could speed up the regulatory review, said Dan Sanchez, product manager for Trelleborg's health care and medical operations.

"With fewer components and secondary processes, the design validation step may be significantly shorter," Sanchez said. "The process for achieving compliance with international standards and regulatory requirements for a single part is also greatly simplified, due to risk mitigation."

In addition, the patient experience is improved because geometric transitions don't have assembled joints, which can weaken and fail, or internal misalignments that can interfere with the flow of fluids, Ehlert said.

The elimination of assembled joints increases component strength and the medical device's longevity, he added.

"Reducing the risk of separation or part failure gives the patient a more robust solution," Ehlert said.

Breathable wound dressing
Trelleborg also highlighted its silicone sheeting and film to meet demand for flexible, breathable wound dressings, which the company said can minimize scarring, reduce the risk of infection and accelerate healing.

Trelleborg partnered with a customer to develop a drug-eluting silicone film for treating chronic wounds and burns. The wafer-thin silicone gel films contain active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) to be eluted at a determined pace over time.

"That means it's a novel drug delivery device that can be more targeted and very specific to the applications," Ehlert said.

Other uses for silicone-based, drug-elusion platforms include treating cancer, reducing inflammation reduction and providing birth control in the form of contraceptive rings.

When an API is added, it changes the properties of the silicone, so every project is a partnership to make sure the right process and approach is taken, Ehlert said.

Depending on the application, use of gel films is replacing more traditional burn and wound care treatments, according to Drew Gaillard, global director of Trelleborg's health care and medical unit.

"The silicone film can be combined with antibiotics or decongestants, which can potentially replace epidermally applied medication. These drug-eluting silicone films significantly improve treatment for the patients," Gaillard said.

Ursula Nollenberger, Trelleborg's LSR and silicone expert, put it this way: "It acts as temporary artificial skin for burn patients. Silicone with medicine or an herbal ingredient like aloe provides the patient with artificial skin until the skin has a chance to heal and new skin can grow."

Nollenberger sees a day when drug-eluting advances mean patients will make fewer trips to the doctor's office to get regular shots or prescription pills.

"Drug eluting is not new but it is receiving a boost from the trend in the health care industry for more personalized drug treatments versus more standardized tablets or shots administered by doctors or staffs," she said.