Porous Polymer Valves for Fluid Management Devices
Super Bacterial Filtration Efficiency
Porous Polymer Valves
• 99.999994% Bacterial filtration
efficiency
• High airflow
• Color change indicator
• Prevent premature shut-offs
• Design flexibility
Better Patient Care
A fundamental requirement for designing medical devices is the constant improvement
in patient care and protection of healthcare workers. This requirement is especially
critical for fluid management devices. Porex invented the first porous polymer selfsealing valve more than twenty years ago and elevated the safety standard for fluid
management devices. Since then, Porex has developed many new capabilities to
improve safety and protection. The newest porous polymer self-sealing valves have
extremely high bacterial filtration efficiencies. Other advanced solutions include our
patented color change indicator, patent pending integrated splash guards, and special
designs to improve surgical smoke and fume filtration.
How It Works
When dry, the porous polymer valve allows air or gases freely pass through the media.
However, when wet, the reactive material inside the porous media will block liquids
by forming a viscous solution immediately and effectively shutting off the airflow. This
liquid blocking property is called self-sealing. Compared with other porous media, such
as commercial submicron hydrophobic membranes, self-sealing porous media have
much higher pore size for increased airflow. Self-sealing porous media can be designed
and molded into 3-D shapes for optimal fit and function.
Porous Polymer Valves for Fluid
Management Devices
Super Bacterial Filtration Efficiency
Bacterial Filtration Efficiency Results
Table 1 shows the bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) and airflow data. The BFE data is
based on ASTM F2101, modified to employ a more severe challenge. The airflow was
measured according to an internal standard method using a Gast 2567-V108 vacuum
source, a Dwyer RMC-104 SSV-CPF flow meter, and a Dwyer DPGA-00 pressure gage.
Airflow was measured at a vacuum of 0.28 inches Hg. Our new self-sealing porous
polymer valve has extremely high BFE value to maintain the optimal bacterial barrier
and good airflow to meet the vacuum suction requirement.
Table 1. BFE results (modified ASTM F2101)
Product
Description
BFE
Airflow
SCFH
PPV1
Standard BFE
99.98%
29.2
PPV2
High BFE
99.996%
27.6
PPV3
Super BFE
99.999994%
15.0
The “Genuine Porex” label is
a promise that this product has
been rigorously designed
and tested to meet the highest
standards of performance.
Other Advanced Solutions
If it’s not Porex, it’s not Genuine.
Color Change
Indicator
Integrated Splash
Guards
Enhanced Infection
Control
Changes color once the
porous polymer valve has
been exposed to a liquid
Patent #8187534
Prevent premature shut-off
due to splash
Patent Pending
Application #
PCT/US2012/062943
Improved filtration of
hazardous surgical smoke
and fume
Conclusion
Porex is the leading innovator and supplier of porous polymer valves for fluid management
devices. We continue to expand the range of solutions to help our customers meet the
increasingly demanding requirements of patient safety, healthcare worker protection, and
product performance value. Our technical expertise and the manufacturing excellence will
enable innovative designs for creating the next generation fluid management devices.
Porex Corporation
500 Bohannon Road, Fairburn, GA 30213 USA
[email protected] T. +1 770 964 1421 F. +1 770 969 0954
www.porex.com
800.241.0195
Porex Technologies GmbH
Strangenhäuschen 30, 52070 Aachen, Germany
[email protected] T. +49 241 910525-0 F. +49 241 910525-16
Porex Technologies Sdn Bhd
Lot P.T. 74, Jalan Hulu Tinggi 26/6, Seksyen 26, Sektor A
Hicom Industrial Park, 40400 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
[email protected] T. +603 5191 3308 F. +603 5192 3308
©2014 Porex Corporation. POREX is a registered trademark of Porex Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
PXT-626-011514-00