DHD Healthcare uses Ultrason polysulfone for respiratory therapy device

Durability, clarity and processing ease meet demanding performance criteria

A new respiratory therapy device commercially launched by DHD Healthcare (Wampsville, N.Y.) called Acapella® Choice provides vibratory Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) therapy to mobilize secretions in the lungs and airways. Acapella Choice is designed for easy disassembly and cleaning. It has very demanding material performance requirements, such as durability and functionally withstands repeated steam autoclaving up to temperatures of 136 degrees Celsius. Acapella Choice may also be cleaned through boiling and dishwashing.

DHD Healthcare selected Ultrason® S2010 polysulfone, an engineering plastic supplied by BASF Corporation’s Performance Polymers business. In addition to meeting DHD Healthcare’s specifications for toughness and durability, Ultrason S2010 also meets important design criteria for transparency and colorability, as well as ease of processing for injection molding.

According to DHD Healthcare, the easy-to-use, adjustable acapella choice provides vibratory PEP therapy in any position, is durable and easy to clean. “The Ultrason S2010 polysulfone met our resin needs for this exciting new product,” said Douglas M. Crumb, Vice President of Operations, DHD Healthcare. “We required a tough material that could withstand autoclaving, boiling and sterilizing by our customers. This BASF resin fit the bill.”

Amco Plastics, one of BASF’s distributors for polymers, supports the company’s activities with DHD Healthcare. “This was our first experience with the resin, and the professionals from Amco and BASF were very helpful in making this an easy transition for our engineering and manufacturing teams,” Crumb said.

DHD Healthcare is a leading manufacturer of respiratory medical devices that meet worldwide customer expectations and quality requirements. The company has a more than 25-year history of processing thermoplastic products and has been awarded the prestigious Zenith Award by the Respiratory Market five of the seven years for its innovative and high quality products and services.

*It is the responsibility of the user to ensure all sterility verifications.