Evonik Cyro Introduces New Polymer Alloy for Antimicrobial Device Manufacturing

Evonik Cyro LLC, manufacturer of acrylic sheet products and molding compounds, has introduced Cyrex Protect, an opaque acrylic-polycarbonate alloy for antimicrobial medical device design.

Cyrex Protect has antimicrobial properties built into it during the manufacturing process, thereby eliminating the need for a surface coat that can scratch or wear off. The material is tested against the JIS Z 2801 protocol, which is an industry standard test that quantifies the antimicrobial activity level of a surface, especially those that are water repellant. It has a demonstrated efficacy of >4 (as tested following the protocol) against the following four microorganisms after both 24 and 96 hours of exposure: staphylococcus aureus, the common cause of staph infections; pseudomonas aeruginosa, a microorganism naturally resistant to penicillin; staphylococcus epidermidis, which increases the risk of infection for those with weaker immune systems; and klebsiella pneumoniae, a respiratory patient risk.

In addition to its antimicrobial properties, the company claims Cyrex Protect is strong, with an Izod test value of 12 ft. pounds per inch. It also is resistant to plasticizers found in flexible polyvinyl chloride.

“Evonik Cyro is constantly seeking ways to create products that meet the needs of our customers and anticipate their future demands,” said Wade Schneider, medical market segment manager at Evonik Cyro. “In recent years, healthcare facilities have been concerned about secondary device-related infections and the costs associated with them. Now, medical devices made from Cyrex Protect can help reduce or prevent device-related infections.”

The product is designed to meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulated Class I or Class II medical devices covered by 510(k) clearance submission and is, according to Evonik Cyro, well-suited for Luer connectors, spikes, Y-sites, check valves and filter housings. It can be sterilized with gamma, e-beam, and ethylene oxide technologies. The polymer has passed Class VI United States Pharmacopeia tests for determining the suitability of a plastic material intended for use in fabricating containers or accessories for parenteral preparations. The alloy is not suitable for implantable devices. Evonik warns that users must undertake sufficient verification and testing to determine suitability for their own particular purpose.

Formerly known as Cyro Industries, Evonik Cyro was founded in 1976 and is based in Parsippany, N.J.