Elcam’s Stopcock and Connectors, Made With Eastman Tritan™ Copolyester, Offer Improved Lipid Resistance and Compliance to Regulatory Standards, Contributing to Patient Safety

In response to industry demand for drug- and lipid-resistant products to help enhance patient safety, Israel-based Elcam Medical unveiled a new stopcock and connectors made with Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. The new products provide maximum durability with improved clarity. The stopcock and connectors will be on display at Medical Design & Manufacturing East (MD&M East), June 14-16 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Working for safe solutions
Elcam, a leading producer of disposable medical products for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), used its expertise in intravenous therapy and fluid management to create the new specialized flow control devices. The integrated stopcock features a four-way standard stopcock with T-handle and short nut luer lock end connection. The integrated connectors feature both male and female versions. Made with Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, the products help eliminate potential complications in IV therapy applications with reduced cracking and superior clarity, allowing for increased detection of air bubbles, while resisting discoloration and yellowing during sterilization.

“With the stopcock and connectors, Elcam puts an increased focus on patient and clinician safety while also addressing the need for high-quality medical products that will not crack when exposed to drugs, lipids and disinfectants,” said Ellen Turner, market development manager for specialty plastics in medical devices, Eastman. “At Eastman, we are committed to providing top-of–the-line materials to help customers deliver on those intentions, helping improve the user experience while focusing on patient and clinician safety within the medical industry.”

Lipid resistance
Resistant to a large number of medical fluids, including oncology drugs, drug carrier solvents and lipids, Eastman Tritan™ copolyester prevents cracking, crazing and hazing of medical devices. These qualities can help reduce possible complications while also maintaining the polymer performance level of the stopcock.

The material offers color stability post-sterilization, helping retain the clear quality of the product and maintain better visibility allowing for increased detection of air bubbles, while resisting discoloration and yellowing during sterilization. Eastman Tritan™ copolyester offers future opportunities for color-coded stopcock systems to help increase organization and accuracy, which are crucial to patient safety. The material also is free of bisphenol A, a growing preference among many clinicians and patients.

The stopcock was designed with the goal of improving patient safety by encouraging worldwide consistency in small-bore connectors for liquids and gases in health care applications. The connectors were designed to meet ISO-80396-7 and ISO-80396-6 standards, which address epidural connectors and aim to eliminate misconnections in this field.

“Elcam was proactively seeking to create new stopcocks and connectors with specific emphasis on patient safety,” said Eldad Ohayon, stopcock product manager, Elcam Medical. “This required a highly resistant and durable material, and Eastman Tritan™ copolyester was the ideal match. This collaboration brings new possibilities for advancement in the medical field.”