Rigid Packaging

Amcor Rigid Plastics, a producer of rigid plastic packaging, and Italy's

TEQ Thermoform Engineered Quality has developed a sterile barrier system (SBS) employing a new, proprietary blend of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in combination with adhesive-coated Tyvek from DuPont. The company is currently working with partners Belco Packaging Systems Inc. and Spartan Design Group to arm medical device manufacturers with the data they need to switch to the new sterile barrier system.

Human factors considerations are playing increasing important roles during medical product development, including package design. Ed Haedt, VP, marketing of Perfecseal, reports that human factors engineering is incorporated into its design process for custom thermoformed trays used to contain surgical instruments, kits, and implantable devices.

“We work very closely with our customers’ engineering and marketing staffs to ensure that the package provides the most efficient and safe delivery of the product to the sterile field,” he says.

While trends toward cost cutting are nothing new in the medical device packaging industry, prolonged economic recovery may be prompting more aggressive approaches. Traditionally, MDMs have sought to reduce costs through downgauging the materials used for thermoforming trays. But given performance requirements and remaining inventory volumes, downgauging may only get MDMs part of the way.