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Ticona Engineering Polymers
Release date: August 16, 2006
Scalpel Blade Holder Achieves Dimensional Stability Needed for Laser Eye Surgery with Celanex® PBT
Florence, Ky., August 16, 2006 - Given the high precision needed in laser eye surgery, SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH chose Celanex® polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) for the blade holder in its Carriazo-Pendular mini-scalpel. The PBT, which is made by Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, provides the excellent dimensional stability needed to help ensure the scalpel cuts a thin circular flap in the cornea having consistent thickness and smooth edges. The computer-controlled, motor-powered device, which operates at micron precision, places strong demands on the materials used in it. SCHWIND selected Celanex® PBT 2402 MT because it compliments its demensional stability with resistance to wear, optimum slip-abrasion properties and chemical resistance. It also withstands the stresses imposed by the blade's pendular movement during cutting and provides good chemical stability. As a medical technology grade, this PBT is also biocompatible and withstands gamma ray sterilization.
The Carriazo-Pendular mini-scalpel is used to cut the cornea in one stage of LASIK surgery, a common laser eye operation that reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. In cutting a small flap in the cornea, the scalpel's spherical cutting head with its unique pendular movement protects the corneal center and permits exact prediction of flap thickness.
"With the Carriazo-Pendular, we achieve greater precision in flap thickness than ever before," explains Rolf Schwind, chief executive officer of SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions. The dimensional stability of Celanex PBT contributes to the device's precision, which limits deviations in the thickness of the flap to 10 to 12 microns, depending on which cutting head is used.
Celanex PBT is characterized by its excellent dimensional stability, high elastic modulus and toughness, and low moisture absorption. It also has excellent electrical properties, good chemical and heat resistance, and processes easily given its excellent flow and low flash formation.
For more information For information on Celanex® PBT 2402 MT and other Ticona medical technology resins, contact:
Ticona, 8040 Dixie Highway, Florence, KY 41042, USA. Phone: 1-800-833-4882 Email: prodinfo@ticona.com.
In Europe: Ticona GmbH, Professor-Staudinger-Straße, D-65451 Kelsterbach, Germany. Phone: +49-(0)180-584-2662 (DE) or +49-(0)693-051-6299 (EU). Email: infoservice@ticona.de. Or visit: www.ticona.com.
About SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH Formed as a family-owned company in 1958, SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions with its 80-strong workforce concentrates today on the global marketing of products it develops itself. The company now achieves 80 percent of its sales abroad, working with distributors in over 60 countries. SCHWIND has established a leading position in refractive corneal surgery and achieved revenues of nearly 24 million euros in the 2005/2006 business year.
About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona Technical Polymers is one of the businesses of Celanese Corporation. Ticona produces and markets a broad range of engineering polymers and achieved sales of $887 million in 2005. Ticona has approximately 2,000 employees at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil.
Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE) is an integrated global producer of value-added industrial chemicals based in Dallas, Texas. The Company has four major businesses: Chemicals Products, Technical Polymers Ticona, Acetate Products and Performance Products. Celanese has production plants in 13 countries in North America, Europe and Asia. In 2005, Celanese Corporation had net sales of $6.1 billion. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's web site at www.celanese.com.
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