SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Ultem resin helps bring diabetes treatment to market

SABIC Innovative Plastics has helped Biorep Technologies, a device manufacturer specialising in tools used in diabetes research and treatment, to develop a new system for isolating insulin-producing cells faster and more efficiently.

Biorep’s technology enables islets – insulin-producing cells from a donor’s pancreas – to be isolated and purified for transplantation in patients whose Type-1 diabetes cannot be controlled with insulin injections.

The Ricordi Chamber, invented by Dr Camillo Ricordi of the Diabetes Research Institute in Miami, is used to break down the pancreas mechanically and chemically to isolate the islets. The chamber was originally custom-made from stainless steel, which was quite heavy to shake during the 30-45 minute isolation process and prevented doctors from visually assessing the progress of the breaking down of the pancreas.

By injection moulding the Ricordi Chamber from Ultem HU polyetherimide (PEI) resin, a translucent, high-temperature, autoclavable material, Biorep achieved several key objectives. According to Ramon Poo, president, Biorep Technologies, the main benefit of finding a suitable autoclavable plastic is mass production.

“By using Ultem resin, we can provide chambers to the doctors quickly, instead of the two weeks that it takes to produce a custom stainless steel chamber. The use of Ultem resin to mould chambers also reduces our manufacturing costs. The lower price of the chamber makes it possible for more research centres, universities and companies to purchase and use the Ricordi Chamber.”

Ultem resin is a rigid, high-strength thermoplastic that can withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures and repeated sterilisation by autoclaving. It has a translucent, light amber colour that allows the doctors to see the pancreas inside the chamber. The excellent chemical resistance of the resin was also critical, since the enzymes used during the digestion process are extremely caustic.

A disposable perfusion tray, also offered by Biorep for use in transplant procedures, is injection moulded in SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Cycolac HM acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, which offers excellent toughness, chemical resistance, and bonding ability. This biocompatible material was custom-coloured white using SABIC Innovative Plastics’ ColorXpress service.

Many facilities do not have the expensive, certified, sterilisation equipment and approved processes that are required when reusing items for isolations. The option to buy a disposable, sterile perfusion tray made from Cycolac ABS resin will assisted facilities with the approval of their isolation protocols.

SABIC adheres to stringent healthcare product requirements covering resin biocompatibility in accordance with either USP Class VI biological or the ISO 10993 “Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices” standards, as well as food contact compliance according to EU and US FDA standards.