Chinese scientists have recently developed a new material called polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) to replace the traditional PVC for making disposable syringes.

Unlike the widely used PVC syringes, the new TPE products do not contain any additive or small molecular compounds which can pose a hazard to patients.

The new syringes also beat the PVC in cost of production.

National authorities for medical device supervision and quality control said the new syringe has performed well in clinical tests and met all national and international standards.

The new device is being jointly developed by the Changchun Research Institute of Applied Chemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co. Ltd., with a three-year grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Department of Science & Technology of Shandong Province.

China consumes over 5 billion disposable injectors every year. Experts said that with improved safety and lowered production costs, the new TPE syringe has enormous market potential and will have a positive effect on China's medical device industry.

Source: Xinhua