CYREX Protect for Antimicrobial Medical Devices

Evonik Cyro launched CYREX Protect, an opaque acrylic-polycarbonate alloy for antimicrobial medical device design. 

Antimicrobial properties are built into CYREX Protect during manufacturing, which eliminates a surface coating that can scratch or wear off. CYREX Protect provides antimicrobial capabilities, as tested by the JIS Z 2801 protocol, against a variety of microorganisms found in healthcare facilities. In addition to its antimicrobial capability, CYREX Protect delivers outstanding strength and toughness with a notched Izod impact test value of 12ft/lb”. 

The product is designed to meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated Class I or Class II medical devices covered by 510(k) PMN submission and is well-suited for Luer connectors, spikes, Y-sites, check valves and filter housings. 

“Evonik Cyro is constantly seeking ways to create products that meet the needs of our customers and anticipate their future demands,” states Wade Schneider, Medical Market Segment Manager at Evonik Cyro. “In recent years, healthcare facilities have been concerned about secondary device-related infections and the costs associated with them. Now, medical devices made from CYREX Protect can help reduce or prevent device-related infections.” 

CYREX Protect has demonstrated efficacy of >4 as tested following JIS Z 2801 protocol against the following four microorganisms after both 24 hours and 96 hours of exposure: staphylococcus aureus, the common cause of staph infections; pseudomonas aeruginosa, a microorganism naturally resistant to penicillin; staphylococcus epidermidis, which increases the risk of infection for those with weaker immune systems; and klebsiella pneumoniae, a respiratory patient risk. 

CYREX Protect is resistant to plasticizers found in flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It can be sterilized with gamma, e-beam, and EtO technologies. 

CYREX Protect polymer has passed Class VI United States Pharmacopoeia tests for determining the suitability of a plastic material intended for use in fabricating containers or accessories for parenteral preparations. CYREX Protect alloy is not suitable for implantable devices. Users must undertake sufficient verification and testing to determine suitability for their own particular purpose.