Gentex®, Natvar to Develop Laser-weldable Resin for Medical Tubing Applications

2/22/2007

Carbondale, Pa. and Clayton, N.C., Date – Gentex Corporation and Natvar Corporation have agreed to jointly develop resins for producing extruded medical tubing. Under the terms of a joint-development agreement, Natvar will be granted a license to Gentex’s patented Clearweld® laser welding technology to compound, produce and market near-infrared-absorbing resin additives for medical tubing applications. 

The Clearweld process employs specialty infrared absorbing additives that are compounded directly into plastic resins to laser weld medical tubing and connectors. These laser-absorbing materials focus laser energy and convert it into heat. Localized heating at the interface of the luer and tube produces strong, hermetically sealed welds with minimal thermal and mechanical stress and no particulates making it ideal for medical applications. This new technology will eliminate the need for solvents or adhesives currently used in assembly operations for many medical devices.  

Clearweld was developed jointly by TWI, a U.K.-based industrial research and development organization that specialized in material joining, and Gentex, which retains the sole right to commercialize the technology worldwide.

For further information contact:  Bob Donohue, Natvar Corporationg, 8720 U.S. 70 West, Clayton, NC 27520; 919-553-4151, ext. 134; Fax: 919-553-4153; Email: bob.donohue@tekni-plex.com ; Web: www.natvar.com

About Gentex
Established in 1892, Gentex is a privately owned corporation with four operating units: Helmet Systems, Performance Materials, Respiratory Products and Electro-acoustic Products. The company is a world leader in high performance products and systems for both the military and commercial markets with extensive research and development capabilities.
About Natvar
For over 50 years, Natvar, a Tekni-Plex Company, has been the leader in tubing extrusion technology for the medical and industrial markets.  Natvar specializes in providing close-tolerance tubing components for such applications as intravenous therapy, hemodialysis equipment, cardiovascular procedures, urinary drainage, and catheterization.  Natvar has a strong focus on innovative products that carry the highest quality standard in medical and other industries.  Conveniently located on both the west and east coasts of the United States and also in Europe and China, Tekni-Plex is able to best service its Customer’s extrusion needs worldwide.