SABIC Innovative Plastics Thermoformed Sheet for More Compact Medical Equipment

BrightSpeed CT scanner from GE Healthcare using SABIC Innovative Plastics Cycoloy Sheet helps hospitals optimize space and enhance patient experience.

As hospitals strive to accommodate greater volumes of patients and services and compete for patients and staff, they are looking to innovations in medical equipment to address these challenges. SABIC Innovative Plastics’ technologies are enabling development of smaller, lighter-weight, and more-attractive devices that leverage existing facility space and overhead, are easier to operate and service, and are more patient-friendly. In one example, SABIC Innovative Plastics’ thermoformed Cycoloy* sheet is used for thin-wall exterior panels in GE Healthcare’s BrightSpeed and BrightSpeed Select series of smaller computed tomography (CT) scanners.

GE Healthcare’s BrightSpeed and BrightSpeed Select series multi-detector CT scanners feature the proven benefits of LightSpeed VCT technology inside and a small footprint on the outside. The high resolution, speed, and exclusive image post-processing of these solutions assist in the diagnosis of abdominal disease and lung pathology, among other health concerns. This important technology must be protected by impact-resistant, cleanable, and yet cost-effective cover that meet environmental regulations.

“Thin-wall Cycoloy sheet from SABIC Innovative Plastics provided a better solution than traditional thermosets for our compact BrightSpeed scanners,” said Wayne Zhang, global product manager, GE Healthcare. “By reducing weight and mass in the device covers, Cycoloy sheet helped us shrink the size of these devices. Smaller size and lighter weight appeal to hospitals, field service technicians, and patients alike, helping us win in the marketplace.”

In addition to enabling thin-wall parts, Cycoloy sheet supports compliance with environmental regulations, including the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives. Compared to traditional RIM (reaction-injection molded) thermoset materials, the Cycoloy thermoplastic resin can be recycled into other plastic applications. Further, the material meets UL94 V-0 standards for flame retardance at 1.5 mm without the use of halogenated additives.

“SABIC Innovative Plastics is dedicating major resources to developing new technologies that can help medical device manufacturers succeed in today’s challenging and competitive marketplace,” said Clare Frissora, market director for Healthcare, SABIC Innovative Plastics. “Thin-wall manufacturing capability provided by our unique Cycoloy sheet products helps our customer, GE Healthcare, create smaller, lightweight versions of traditional equipment. Our materials innovation is playing an important part in keeping pace with the changes in healthcare delivery.”

The Cycoloy sheet also delivers high performance in the demanding hospital environment:
• Low deflection under load means the covers will retain their shape even when exposed to external forces and/or stresses such as high heat.
• Excellent impact resistance and strength even in very thin-wall applications provide durability and resilience.
• Chemical resistance to typical hospital disinfectant and cleansers means the material will retain its attractive, low-gloss surface finish over the long term.

Finally, in contrast to thermosets that typically require secondary painting, this material can be custom-colored in a wide range of hues. For the BrightSpeed devices, Cycoloy sheet was custom-colored blue, the signature GE Healthcare color, to create a pleasant, calming atmosphere for patients.

BrightSpeed scanners routinely perform minimally invasive, fast angiography for patients. Spatial and low-contrast resolution allows a detailed study of arterial and vascular disease, including calcified plaque and occluded or lumen reduction. Outstanding 3D images simplify communication with referral doctors or vascular surgeons. For the diagnosis of abdominal disease, BrightSpeed scanners can aid in the detection of small lesions or provide a detailed evaluation of tumor extension, and it allows clinicians to characterize lesions through a comparison of arterial, portal, and delayed phases. They can also assist in the diagnosis of lung pathologies such as nodules, tumors, and sub-segmented aeric or vascular lesions. With features such as multi-planar format, MIP, and LungVCAR, BrightSpeed's volume review tools provide a more-complete and accurate assessment of pulmonary structures.

For additional information on SABIC Innovative Plastics’ high-performance materials for the healthcare industry, contact Clare Frissora at 413-448-6391.

As s global supplier of plastic resins widely used in the healthcare industry, SABIC Innovative Plastics Specialty Film and Sheet division manufactures high-performance Lexan* sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide.

. Mini plastics bearing is light and resilient
Igus now offers a highly resilient, self-aligning plastics bearing with a wall thickness of just 3 mm which is a diameter half that of the standard model.

American Management Online Certification Programs

Certificate In Manufacturing Management
Choose 5 or 6 courses for a total of 10 CEU's
The courses listed can be used towards completion of this certificate. Courses may be applied toward one certificate only. Please note that some courses may be required. Get Started Today!

Certification Program Series- Click Here

Tool removes and provides real-time anti-spyware protection. Find out how to stay up-to-date.

Click here to view additional industry news.