Product Platforms
Driving Medical Device Innovations
Foster is committed to translating customer needs into specialized polymer solutions. Our product platforms deliver functionalized, custom-compounded materials that are ready for production to ensure your advanced medical device components perform exactly as required.
Imaging Visibility
LoPro® Radiopaque Compounds for Fluoroscopy Imaging Technology
LoPro Radiopaque Compounds offer a range of the industry’s most advanced radiopaque fillers and medical-contact-grade polymers to create high-quality compounds required for small, ‘low-profile’ catheter designs. Our team of polymer scientists work directly with medical device manufacturers to custom-formulate blends tailored precisely to specific application requirements.
Utilizing radiopaque fillers such as barium sulfate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth oxychloride, bismuth trioxide, and tungsten, these materials are used for critical applications across interventional radiology, neurology, central venous catheters, guide wires, and more — where fluoroscopy is the imaging technology of choice.
Specialty LoPro Compounds for Critical Application Requirements
In addition to the standard LoPro product line, Foster also offers a portfolio of specialty radiopaque materials designed with the most critical application requirements in mind.
LoPro Clear:
A radiopaque polyurethane, LoPro Clear is both x-ray visible and optically translucent. Catheters extruded from LoPro Clear can be located inside the body using fluoroscopy, while fluid can be visually monitored outside of the body.
MRI and Ultrasound Imaging Technology for Permanently Implantable Applications
Driven by the high demand for non-radiation-based imaging technology, Foster offers proprietary compounds for MRI and Ultrasound imaging technology that offers less risk with superior diagnostic capability and real-time results. These compounds can also be used for permanently implantable applications.
Lubricity/Coefficient of Friction Antimicrobial
ProPell™ Low-Friction Additive Technology
ProPell low-friction additive technology has become the industry standard for lowering the surface coefficient of friction on plastic medical devices. This advanced platform technology modifies surface energy, substantially reducing the inherent high friction and tackiness of lower durometer thermoplastic elastomer polymers. This allows for improved manufacturing, handling, and medical device functionality.
A key differentiator, ProPell is PFAs free to meet evolving regulatory needs.
Foster’s team can also custom-formulate ProPell for each application, considering material, translucency, color, and post-processing steps to ensure an optimal formulation for each unique project. Though the formulations are custom, all components have passed USP Chapter 88 Class VI Biological Reactivity studies.
Download the product brochure
Antimicrobial Technologies
Combat™ Antimicrobial Technology
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a critical issue, raising healthcare costs and risks for patients, particularly those with long-term indwelling medical devices like CVC catheters. The risk of infection is particularly high for devices left in place for three or more days, as bacteria can be introduced at incision points and into the bloodstream.
Foster’s Combat Antimicrobial Technology can be an effective weapon in the battle against HAIs. The antimicrobial technology features Sciessent Agion™ ionizing silver-based antimicrobial additives compounded directly into the polymer.
Additional formulations, using a combination of silver and polymer-based products, along with copper and zinc-based antimicrobial additives, can be custom developed by our team to achieve your specific application requirements.
These processes ensure the material is actively protected from bacterial growth, mitigating infection risk for the patient, and safeguarding device functionality.
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Additive Technologies and Enhancements
LazerMed™ Laser-Marking Technology
LazerMed is a polymer additive technology that offers a high-resolution, permanent and eco-friendly alternative to solvent-based printing for medical devices. Utilizing biotested (USP Class VI) pigments, LazerMed provides a versatile laser-marking platform compatible with most plastic materials.
Authentix® Brand Protection Taggants
Authentix covert brand security taggants offer protection against unauthorized copying of medical devices. The technology involves adding small amounts of biotested taggant material (USP Class VI) into the polymer. The taggant does not affect the material’s physical properties and is only detectable via a proprietary electronic detection device, allowing the brand owner to authenticate their product easily and reliably.
Nanomed® Plastic Reinforcement
Foster’s compounding capability includes the addition of reinforcing additives into appropriate materials, adding strength and, in the right polymer (such as nylons), heat resistance. Reinforcements offered include nano clays, glass, carbon fibers, and carbon nanotubes.
Plastic Stabilization & Crosslinking
Stabilization includes processing, heat, UV, light, antioxidants as well as other technologies to ensure your compounds withstand the rigors of processing and harsh environmental elements. This guarantees your medical device remains strong and performs optimally. Additionally, Fostalink™ is a specialty thermoplastic post-processing crosslinking technology that improves physical properties and heat resistance, often providing an advantage in applications like heat-shrink tubing.