Ventilation systems utilize polycarbonate from Covestro LLC

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Feb 08, 2017, 10:02 ET

ANAHEIM, Calif., Feb. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The respiratory needs of individuals can vary greatly. Some people with respiratory insufficiency can go about their daily activities with simple oxygen therapy. Others have more serious conditions that require mechanical ventilation that is administered by qualified, trained personnel under the direction of a physician. Breathe Technologies Inc. offers respiratory therapies intended to improve quality of life all along this continuum. The company's two portable, wearable ventilation systems – the Non-Invasive Open Ventilation (NIOV)™ device and the Life2000h™ ventilator for life-support patients – feature components that utilize polycarbonate from Covestro LLC.

Two Breathe ventilation systems from Breathe Technologies, Inc., feature components that utilize Makrolon(R) polycarbonate from Covestro LLC. Photo credit: Breathe Technologies, Inc.

The Breathe Pillow Interface™ is used with both ventilation systems. According to Breathe Technologies, the interface is uniquely capable of delivering ventilation therapy that does the work of breathing for a patient. Unlike other respiratory interfaces, the design is slim and low profile, allowing a patient to talk, eat or exercise while on therapy. The latest-generation models of the NIOV and Life2000h ventilation systems feature a Pillow Interface Sizing Gauge that helps patients determine the interface size that will provide the most-effective and most-comfortable fit. The Breathe Pillow Interface™ and sizing gauge are injection molded from transparent Makrolon^® 2858 polycarbonate.

Breathe Technologies carefully considers the materials it uses in its ventilation systems, according to Larry Mastrovich, President and CEO. "Our company is committed to bringing the highest-quality devices to market so we chose durable, lightweight and long-lasting materials for all of our products," he explained.

Makrolon^® 2858 polycarbonate is a medium-viscosity resin that features easy release from the mold. It is acceptable for ETO and steam sterilization at 121 C and is biocompatible according to many ISO 10993-1 test requirements, making it an ideal choice for medical devices.

"We collaborated closely with the Breathe Technologies engineers to help ensure proper material selection, which was an important element in the smooth launch of the product," said Amal Bitar, field market development, Polycarbonates, Covestro LLC.

"We're pleased to be able to provide Breathe Technologies with the materials and technical support needed to bring a product to market that helps to improve the lives of people with respiratory needs," said Lauren Zetts, North America market manager, Medical and Consumer Products – Polycarbonates, Covestro LLC. "I consider it a good illustration of Covestro's commitment to our customers' success and dedication to helping improve patient experience through use of our materials."

Attendees at MD&M West Conference and Exposition, Feb. 7-9, in Anaheim, California, can visit Covestro's booth (#2021) for more details about medical applications and materials from Covestro.

About Covestro LLC:

Covestro LLC is one of the leading producers of high-performance polymers in North America and is part of the global Covestro business with 2015 sales of EUR 12.1 billion. Covestro manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical and sports and leisure industries. The Covestro group has 30 production sites around the globe and employed approximately 15,800 people at the end of 2015.

Find more information at www.covestro.com or www.plastics.covestro.com

About Breathe Technologies Inc.:

Breathe Technologies Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of innovative medical technologies for patients with respiratory diseases and neuromuscular diseases. The company is the first provider of lightweight and wearable ventilators that reduce the work of breathing and support improved patient mobility. Breathe Technologies has a robust product pipeline that seeks to address additional unmet needs in respiratory care. Investors include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Deerfield, DAG Ventures, Morgan Creek, and Synergy Partners International. Breathe Technologies is located in Irvine, Calif. Find more information at www.breathetechnologies.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro's public reports which are available on the Covestro website at www.covestro.com. Covestro assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Makrolon^®is a registered trademark of Covestro Group.

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SOURCE Covestro LLC