Eastar® resins let surgeons see what they are doing

CAPELLE A/D IJSSEL, THE NETHERLANDS - Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, the recognised leader in arthroscopic, or minimally invasive joint surgery has selected Eastman’s copolyester ( www.clearlymedical.com ) for the manufacture of the company’s new Clear-Trac Complete cannula system for use in arthroscopic surgery.

The Clear-Trac system includes cannulae in nine sizes, enabling surgeons to find the best fit, depending on the size of the patient, the size of the joint being treated and the thickness of the muscle around it. Each cannula is tinted so surgeons can distinguish between different cannulae during surgery. Eastar® plastic’s clarity helps provide the surgeon with an unobstructed view of the instruments and the suture inside them, as well as the one and soft tissue that surround the surgery site.

“We chose Eastar copolyester over other materials such as polycarbonate for its improved colour stability and clarity after undergoing gamma sterilisation,” said John Lipchitz, R&D Project Engineer at Smith & Nephew. “Additionally, Eastar resins are easy to work with, even in difficult moulds.”

During arthroscopic procedures, cannulae provide sterile pathways to the joint surgeons will treat. Each cannula in the Clear-Trac system features a unique cap, or dam, that prevents fluid from escaping during the procedure. In addition, the cap can be removed, enabling surgeons to clear small pieces of bone or soft tissue from the treatment area without having to remove the cannula from the incision.

GW Plastics, the device’s moulder, is producing the new cannula body line in complex hot runner, multi-cavity tooling for Smith & Nephew. “Eastman was instrumental in helping us select the correct material for this application, and was an integral member of our extended development team,” said Tim Reis, Vice President of Healthcare Marketing at GW Plastics. “Their awareness of the medical industry’s material requirements is excellent. The list of Eastar properties is a perfect match for the requirements of this application, bringing a major programme to a successful conclusion.”

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