Newly Engineered Thermoplastic Alloy by Polyscope Polymers for Medical Segment

Polyscope Polymers B.V. has introduced a new engineering thermoplastic alloy combining the benefits of styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to meet the needs of the rapidly growing point-of-care (POC) microfluidic medical test device segment. 

Features of XILOY™ Alloy

The injection moldable polymer, called XILOY™ SO2315 SMA/PMMA alloy, offers excellent optical properties, biocompatibility with a variety of proprietary coatings, reagents, and blood and tissue products, and maintains high dimensional stability to assure accurate and reliable immunoassay test results. The material is in use on devices completing their final agency reviews and expected to be commercially available to medical professionals soon.

Use of SMA and PMMA Alloy to Mold Microfluidic Cassettes

The newest material being used to mold microfluidic cassettes is an alloy of SMA and PMMA. The specific reactivity of anhydride groups on the SMA portion of XILOY SO2315 copolymer is especially helpful in microfluidic chip applications for its intrinsic ability to react with the “bioanchor,” which captures and binds to analytes (substances/chemicals of interest, e.g. amino acids, peptides, proteins) in the fluid sample, simplifying the post-mold coating process while, at the same time, making it more robust and cost-effective. 

SMA also provides higher thermal stability than PS for tests requiring heat to process samples, plus it maintains very-high dimensional stability to assure micro channels operate properly and cassettes fit into test devices. SMA is not especially miscible with PS, leading to a copolymer that is more opaque than transparent. Instead, chemists combine it with PMMA, with which it is highly miscible. 

The PMMA portion of the copolymer provides excellent transparency for optical detection test methods and has good biological compatibility with human tissue and fluids. The resulting copolymer is chemically compatible with the proprietary coatings and reagents typically used on microfluidic cassettes. It also processes easily and maintains consistent tight dimensions for intricate molded micro patterns that are critical to accurate and reliable rest results. 

Use of XILOY SO2315 Copolymer in Further Applications

In addition to use for disposable microfluidic cassettes for POC medical diagnostic devices, XILOY SO2315 copolymer is also appropriate for use in a variety of demanding applications in lighting, display, housewares, and consumer disposable applications. 

 

Source: Polyscope Polymers BV