Polyzen Inc. says it has identified an unmet need in the medical device arena, developing a polyurethane material that can be extruded as a small diameter ultra thin wall tube.

Lay flat tubing is most commonly exploited in packaging applications. Typically these tubes are extruded using an olefin based material, such as polyethylene, in widths above 1.5 in (about 4 cm). Polyzen, however, has identified a need in certain medical uses for a special polymer, urethane or nylon, which is less than 1 in lay-flat width and a relatively thin gauge.

The lay-flat process makes a seamless tube, which can be delivered in continuous rolls and cut to any size. Applications for lay-flat tubing are extensive; in the medical realm, is its now being used to construct sheaths to be used as barriers for colonoscopes, endoscopes, speculums, probes and many other devices requiring protection from moisture, blood, or bacteria prevalent within the body.

“Expanding our capabilities beyond more ubiquitous higher thickness tubes has given Polyzen a clear advantage over its competitors,” said Rubin Shah, director of business development.