Solvay Specialty Polymers (Alpharetta, Georgia / USA; www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com) has introduced a medical-grade polyethersulfone (PESU) that is claimed to retain transparency and stiffness at high temperatures and offer processing advantages over other commercial high-temperature, transparent polymers.

“Veradel” HC A-301 has been tested under ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards for cytotoxicity, irritation and acute systemic toxicity. The company said it is the first PESU polymer for use in medical devices to offer a Master Access File with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Target applications for the material include housings and internal structural components for medical diagnostic equipment, monitoring and filtration devices, and biopharma processing applications such as sight windows and quick-connects in fluid transfer lines. It is presently available worldwide for sampling in healthcare applications.