Medical Device Packagers Honored for Innovation

Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry Magazine | MDDI Article Index

Originally published February, 1997

Four medical device packagers were recently honored for their products by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP; Herndon, VA). Winning awards in the medical device packaging category of IoPP's AmeriStar Package competition, the companies were recognized at a reception during Pack Expo last November in Chicago.

In 1996, the four winners in the medical device category were one Gold Star recipient and three recipients of the Judges Award of Merit. Sabin Corp. (Bloomington, IN), the Gold Star winner, was honored for producing the first ultraviolet light­absorbing and transparent laminate suitable for sterile medical device packaging. The clear laminate protects devices from ultraviolet rays. Working in conjunction with Courtaulds Performance Films (Martinsville, VA), Sabin spent three years developing the packaging.

The merit award winners were Rexam Medical Packaging (Vernon Hills, IL), for its Integra tear bag, made of a proprietary blend of heavy-duty, coextruded low-density polyethylene; Boston Scientific Corp. (Watertown, MA), for its thermoformed tray and lid, designed to protect the company's Symphony nitinol stent, a permanent implant that is used in blood vessels and bile ducts; and Tolas Health Care Packaging (Feasterville, PA), for its T-VL pouches for packaging high-profile medical devices such as orthopedic implants and artificial joints.

The competition was open to both members and nonmembers of IoPP. For more information, contact IoPP at 703/318-8970.--D.A.