Tandem's Wearable Insulin Delivery Pumps Utilize TOPAS® Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC)
Precision Molded Cartridge Parts Deliver Drug Compatibility, High Purity, and Dimensional Control
FLORENCE, Ky., April 26, 2018 – Wearable insulin delivery pumps from Tandem Diabetes Care Inc., a San Diego, Calif.-based medical device manufacturer of the only touchscreen insulin pumps in the U.S., use disposable cartridges molded of TOPAS® 8007S-04 cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) from Polyplastics USA.
The simple-to-use t:slim X2 Insulin Pump is the smallest pump available and the only one capable of remote feature updates. It is the first CGM-enabled pump approved to let users make treatment decisions without pricking their finger. The t:flex® Insulin Pump has the largest insulin capacity available - up to 480 units, providing up to three days of insulin delivery with fewer interruptions for cartridge changes compared to other pumps.
The pumps carry precision-molded disposable cartridges which consist of several parts molded of TOPAS 8007S-04. The components are manufactured under strict performance qualifications including highly challenging tolerance levels and multi-cavity tooling. They are produced in complex geometries and tight tolerances of less than 0.001 in. (0.025 mm).
The medical grade material was selected over competitive thermoplastics due to its purity, drug compatibility, biocompatibility, and dimensional stability. As a leading healthcare plastic, the drug-contact material delivers consistent, reproducible performance and facilitates miniaturization of drug delivery systems. TOPAS COC can also be molded with zero draft for maximum precision of drug delivery.
Plastikos Inc., a leading custom injection molder, and its sister mold making company, Micro Mold, worked closely with Tandem to develop the molds and manufacture the cartridge parts. Plastikos is one of the leading medical molders of precision COC components for drug delivery devices, with shipments of millions of parts during the past year.
Unlike other engineering thermoplastics or glass, TOPAS COC offers a non-ionic, minimally reactive surface. This non-polar substrate does not promote adsorption, denaturation, aggregation, or precipitation. With very low leachables and extractables, glass-clear TOPAS medical polymer preserves long-term drug purity, enabling better performance and patient safety.
About Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.
Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. (www.tandemdiabetes.com) is a medical device company dedicated to improving the lives of people with diabetes through relentless innovation and revolutionary customer experience. The company takes an innovative, user-centric approach to the design, development, and commercialization of products for people with diabetes who use insulin. Tandem manufactures and sells the t:slim X2™ Insulin Pump, the only pump capable of remote feature updates using a personal computer, now available with Dexcom G5® Mobile continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) integration, and the t:flex® Insulin Pump, the first pump designed for people with greater insulin requirements. Tandem is based in San Diego, Calif.
About Plastikos Inc. and Micro Mold
Micro Mold and Plastikos specialize in precision mold design and fabrication as well as tight-tolerance injection molding. Their unique Lifetime Mold Warranty program is a testament of their devotion towards manufacturing the highest quality products for its customers. Primary fields of expertise relating to plastic manufacturing include medication delivery systems, surgical eye care, microfluidic, and electronic connectors, among others. A medical molding room is controlled through an ISO 7 cleanroom (Class 10,000) with press tonnages ranging from 88T - 220T. Both companies have achieved leading industry recognition as the Processor of the Year and Employer of the Year, presented by Plastics News. For more information, visit www.plastikoserie.com.
About TOPAS Advanced Polymers and Polyplastics
TOPAS Advanced Polymers, part of the Polyplastics Group, is the world’s leading maker of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), a glass-clear and extremely pure plastic for healthcare, packaging, and electronics applications. From insulin delivery, to food-contact films, to tablet and smartphone components, TOPAS COC is the high-performance material of choice. The broad global regulatory compliance of TOPAS COC can make your next development a simpler task. Learn more at www.topas.com.
Polyplastics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in the development and production of engineering thermoplastic solutions. In addition to marketing TOPAS COC in Asia and the Americas, Polyplastics’ broad product portfolio includes DURACON® POM, DURAFIDE® PPS, DURANEX® PBT, and LAPEROS® LCP. The company has the largest global market share of POM. With more than 50 years of experience, Polyplastics is backed by a strong global network of R&D, production, and sales resources capable of creating advanced solutions for an ever-changing global marketplace.
Press Contact:
Joseph Grande
J. Grande communications Inc.
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