Polymer producer Covestro has supplied materials for the TransMedics Organ Care System, a system that allows an organ to function outside of the body and enables organ optimisation and assessment.
The TransMedics device aims to improve the way organs are preserved during transportation with the system delivering warm, nutrient-rich blood to the organ.
TransMedics has three OCS products – OCS Heart, OCS Lung and OCS Liver, each of which has three primary components: a portable console with a wireless monitor, a disposable perfusion set and nutrient-enriched solutions. The perfusion set’s clear enclosure protects the organ using Makrolon 2458 and Makrolon Rx1452 polycarbonates from Covestro, while the attached connectors utilize Makrolon Rx1805 polycarbonate.
John Sullivan, vice president of engineering, TransMedics said: “Makrolon polycarbonates offer the combination of transparency and toughness needed for this medical device.”
Makrolon polycarbonates for medical applications has several attributes for the OCS platform, including:
- Dimensional stability
- Impact and chemical resistance
- Suitable for sterilisation
- Biocompatible according to many ISO 10993-1 test requirements
Makrolon 2458 polycarbonate and Makrolon polycarbonate feature a low viscosity and easy-release properties.
Lauren Zetts, Americas market manager, healthcare – polycarbonates, Covestro, said: “Safely transporting organs can literally mean the difference between life and death. It’s very gratifying that our materials play a role in helping TransMedics fulfil its mission to deliver healthy transplants in a timely manner.”
Covestro will also be featuring their medical applications and materials at MD&M West from 5-7 February in Anaheim, California.
