Medical Device Company REDpoint International Collaborates with Genesis Plastics Welding for Production of Stabilizing IV Sleeve
Contract manufacturer identifies safe yet sturdy PVC-free material to produce StedLine(TM) infusion therapy product
INDIANAPOLIS and VANCOUVER - Genesis Plastics Welding, a leading contract manufacturer of radio frequency (RF) welded products, announces today a collaboration with REDpoint International, a medical device company, to produce the company's latest product, the StedLine(TM) IV sleeve, a stabilizing device that eliminates the need for glue or tape to secure an intravenous line to skin.
REDpoint's primary manufacturing goal was to eliminate PVC while still keeping the product cost-efficient, safe and patient-friendly. Genesis led REDpoint to lower-cost PE and PET materials well-suited for single-use medical products such as the IV sleeve yet robust enough to provide the desired product strength. A PVC-free medical device was important to REDpoint because medical devices made of certain PVCs can leach DEHP, which has been found to cause organ damage in animals, according to the American Medical Association. The U.S. FDA has advised health care providers to reduce DEHP exposure for certain vulnerable populations, including infants and other patients receiving multiple medical treatments.
"With our latest product, the StedLine IV sleeve, it was important that we find an RF plastics welding manufacturing partner within the United States who understood the importance and potential of our product within the medical device industry," said Chuck Nokes, REDpoint founder and president. "We found these qualities with Genesis, and we are thankful for their ability to help us find a non-PVC material that not only keeps patients safe but provides them with a durable, comfortable and long-lasting product."
Throughout the initial production process, REDpoint went through multiple clinical trials and focus groups to test both the quality and comfort of the IV sleeve for patients. After each research round, Genesis' engineering team worked with REDpoint executives to make needed changes to materials and processes while keeping manufacturing as efficient and low-cost as possible.
"We were honored to be selected by REDpoint to help them bring this innovative single-use medical device to market," said Tom Ryder, Genesis Plastics Welding President and CEO. "And with the help of Genesis' proprietary RF welding technology, ecoGenesis(TM), the finished product also features durable and attractive welds."
The REDpoint StedLine IV Sleeve is rapidly acquiring distribution within the disposable medical device arena. The sleeve has proven especially beneficial for elderly and pediatric patients, as it absorbs yanks and tugs that commonly cause IV catheters to fail. In addition, the Vancouver Business Journal selected REDpoint for their 2010 Business Growth Awards' Innovator of the Year for the StedLine IV sleeve.
About Genesis Plastics Welding
Genesis Plastics Welding is one of the industry's leading contract manufacturing companies that specializes in radio frequency (RF) plastics welding of thermoplastic products and components for industries including medical, military, automotive, marine and consumer products. Unique to the plastics welding industry, Genesis' proprietary heat sealing technology allows RF plastics welding of polyethylene, polypropylene and nearly any low-loss polymer in film, foam and fabric layers. The technology is an ideal replacement for Polyvinylchloride (PVC) and Polyurethane with "green" phthalate-free plastics as it causes polymers with low dielectric loss factors to respond to RF plastics welding just like PVC. The company's plastics welding technology, ecoGenesis(TM), also aids in cost reduction as it eliminates the need for expensive heat seal additives and enables the substitution of lower cost raw materials. Available for private licensing to manufacturers, ecoGenesis can be quickly integrated into any existing RF heat sealing machine. Contact Genesis Plastics Welding, headquartered near Indianapolis in Indiana, at 317-485-7887 or visit www.GenesisPlasticsWelding.com.
About REDpoint International
Vancouver, Wash. based, REDpoint International, is a privately held medical device company formed in March of 2008 by President and CEO Chuck Nokes. The company has introduced its first of a planned line of infusion therapy products bearing the StedLine(TM) brand name. It also introduced the Versatilt, a Safe Patient Handling device that tilts wheelchairs to provide safe and effective treatment while avoiding caregiver injuries. More information is available at www.redpointcorp.com or by calling 360.573.5957.
