Packaging
Soft core in a hard shell
Thursday 01. May 2008 - Gerresheimer perfects the Rigid Needle Shield for RTF syringe systems
The name says it all: the Rigid Needle Shield (RNS) from Gerresheimer forms a stable protective shield around the syringe needle. At interpack 2008 Gerresheimer Bünder now presents to the pharmaceutics industry the latest result of its RNS technology – a development which, with perfectly harmo¬nised hard and soft TPE components, provides optimum protection for the needle (Hall 7, Stand A01).
Word has got round that a stiff needle cap is generally a useful alter¬native to the traditional elastic needle shield. No-one knows precisely how frequently doctors, nurses and also disposal workers injure themselves on needles all round the world but reliable estimates assume that it happens 500,000 times a year in Germany alone. And the risk is particularly great when, after the injection as well, users try to stick the soft caps back on – often crooked – since they are really only intended to protect unused needles from damage.
“Every single case is one too many,” says Burkhard Lingen¬berg, Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing for the Gerresheimer Group, particularly because of the risk of infection for the affected person. “In our system development there is therefore a high level of commitment to this area in order to make the design of the needle shield as effective, functional, economic and attractive as possible: with outstanding success, as we see.”
What one sees first of all is the hard semi-transparent plastic shell. Embedded in this is a soft core made of thermoplastic elas¬tomer (TPE), which keeps the needle safe from damage until use – while at the same time providing a sterile seal since the point actu¬ally sticks into this soft core. The soft elastomer used for this is perfectly suited not only to preserve the delicate needle point but also above all to maintain its sharpness to the full extent.
Another quality factor results from the production technology itself. Despite its two different plastic components the new Rigid Needle Shield is in fact all in one: produced in an extremely precise dual-component injection-moulding process which unites the hard and soft elasto¬mer while still in a viscous state – practically inseparably and, it is important to remember, economically. The material and design of the RNS allow all customary types of sterilisation. Last but not least: the customer as king has a free choice of colours.
With all its advantages the new Rigid Needle Shield is very well received by the pharmaceutical industry. This is documented above all by a study by an independent market research institute, in which managers from a total of thirty pharma companies in Europe, the USA and Asia participated.
According to this, approximately nine out of ten respondents (86.7%) basically consider rigid needle protection caps to be much more sensible than elastic ones – largely because of their simpler handling, better machine-running properties and more reliable seal. The most frequently quoted arguments for TPE include cleanness and substantially less particle abrasion, plus freedom from latex and the lower allergy risk. Overall, the examination documented significant advantages for the RNS developed by Gerresheimer, compared with all other needle protection concepts. Further details about the study have been summarised by Gerresheimer in a flyer.