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International Conference on Medical Polymers Highlights
Business Opportunities Available to Medical Device
Industry
Rapra
Technology’s Fifth International Conference on Medical
Polymers took place in Cologne on 6 –7 June attracting
over 100 delegates from as far away as Australia and the
US. Concentrating on the latest advances in high
performance plastics, speakers identified the high value
business opportunities available within medical technology
and specifically the medical device industry.
With presentations ranging from the use of anti-bacterial
additives for medical devices; medical textiles for tissue
engineering to the role of medical polymers in the
triggered release of therapeutics, delegates praised the
breadth of the programme content and the practical nature
of many of the papers.
Speaking at the conference, Robert Mather, Director,
Mather Technology Solutions highlighted the medical
applications of polymer textile fibres, their individual
uses and the processing of these polymers. Applications
for biomedical textiles were discussed, including their
use in controlled drug release, artificial arteries and
tissue engineering scaffolds. Dr Mather also highlighted
the use of gas plasma treatment in modifying, and
improving the biocompatibility of textile surfaces.
John Svalander, Consultant – Industrial Affairs at ECVM,
gave a powerful and emotive presentation on the use of PVC
for critical applications in the medical sector. PVC, he
maintained, is unrivalled in its range of uses from
medical gloves to sophisticated medical devices.
Throughout the talk, Svalander appealed for scientific
integrity and the use of facts rather than emotion or
hearsay in selecting polymers and their additives for
medical applications. This appeal was evident in
discussing the controversial issue of Phthalate
plasticizers, in particular DEHP, for which potential
adverse reproductive effects have been shown for rats and
mice but no evidence yet exists for humans. Whilst such a
risk may exist, the use of PVC in health care is unmatched
by any other polymer and Svalander questioned the logic of
specifying alternatives where much less data or experience
was available. Such a risk – should it exist, Svalander
maintained would be far outweighed by the risk of not
performing the medical interventions for which PVC has an
almost unique role.
Dr Lesley Reeve, Senior Regulatory Scientist, at Covance
Laboratories Ltd discussed current procedures for
biocompatibility and risk assessment testing for the
regulatory approval of medical devices. Biocompatibility
and risk assessment were common themes at the conference,
and Dr Reeve’s outline of the procedures required to bring
a product to market was well received by the participants.
Of particular interest to the delegates was the paper
presented by Bob Goss, Senior Technology Specialist at
Henkel Loctite Adhesives Ltd, who spoke of the significant
advantages that cyanoacrylates and UV curing adhesives can
bring over other methods. Whilst mentioning the endless
benefits cyanoacrylates bring to the medical industry –
including optical clarity, rapid cure speed and the
ability to be accurately dispensed – Mr Goss engaged,
educated and entertained his audience, and at one stage
during a demonstration of the bonding and curing
mechanisms of cyanoacrylate, went beyond the call of duty
by deliberately ‘super gluing’ his thumb and finger
together.
Describing the important work undertaken in the
development of advanced polymers to trigger the release of
therapeutics, Dr Colin McCoy presented the systems used to
reach difficult-to-address sites such as joint
replacements. Focusing on the applicability of triggers
such as light, heat, magnetism, ultrasound and chemical
triggers Dr McCoy gave a fascinating insight into the
potential for “smart” responsive drug delivery systems.
The conference was followed by a drinks reception hosted
by Du Pont attended by many of the delegates.
The next Medical Polymers conference is scheduled for June
2008.
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