Natvar tubing delivers drugs at higher pressures

Natvar, a provider of tubing for medical devices, has recently developed four and five-layer coextruded tubing for medical device manufacturers

Natvar, a Tekni-Plex company, developed the tubing as an alternative for applications currently relying on monolayer materials, as well as some two and three-layer structures.

The technology also provides a more cost-effective alternative to expensive braided tubes for higher-pressure delivery systems, according to the company.

Bob Donohue, general manager, Natvar, said: “As medical device companies developed new products, increased their performance expectations – such as barrier, UV, bonding - and pursued cost cutting alternatives, it became obvious that traditional monolayers and some two and three-layer structures would not meet their objectives.” 

Key tubing attributes include flexibility, clarity and ability to be solvent and UV adhesive bondable and according to the company, additional desired characteristics could include UV protection and moisture/oxygen barrier.  

Natvar said that drugs that could benefit from this new technology are those that are delivered at higher pressures, such as contrast media that requires a high psi. and highly corrosive drugs such as DMSO which need additional protection in the fluid path.