Cardinal Health Introduces New Latex, Powder-Free, Hydrogel Surgical Gloves

DUBLIN, Ohio, Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardinal Health today announced the launch of its new Protexis™ Latex Hydrogel surgical gloves -- sterile latex, powder-free surgical gloves with hydrogel coating -- and the new Protexis™ brand name for its powder-free surgical glove portfolio.

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Protexis™ Latex Hydrogel surgical gloves are powder-free, made from natural rubber latex, and include an exclusive coating that makes the new surgical gloves easy to don and easy to wear. Hydrogel, also known as acrylic hydrogel polymer, is a hydrophilic coating chemically bonded to the interior of the glove, which enhances donning lubricity. With the coating, Protexis™ Latex Hydrogel surgical gloves glide on easily -- wet or dry -- and conform to clinicians' hands for a soft, comfortable fit. The gloves also feature a translucent yellow color which looks like a second layer of skin and offers contrast to a colored underglove when double-gloving.

"Protexis™ Latex Hydrogel surgical gloves are just one example of how Cardinal Health is innovating to deliver robust product offerings to our customers," said Lisa Ashby, president of category management at Cardinal Health. "Our new Protexis™ brand of powder-free surgical gloves represents our continued dedication to providing the protection and expertise clinicians count on so that they can focus on their patients and perform confidently."

The new Protexis™ brand of powder-free surgical gloves will shift all of the existing Cardinal Health powder-free brands, including Duraprene™, Esteem®, Protegrity®, and Ultrafree™,  to a single brand. The new brand offers a simple, straightforward naming architecture that clearly communicates the material from which the gloves are made as well as any key features.

The Protexis™ powder-free surgical glove portfolio includes a proprietary glove mold with an independent thumb design that provides more natural hand movement along with an interlocking, beaded cuff design that reduces roll-down. Packaging for the portfolio has been redesigned with a fresh look and a standardized configuration. And all Protexis™ surgical gloves will be available in the company's environmentally friendly, half-fold pouches that use less material, generate less waste and help increase storage space.

The roll-out of the Protexis™ brand kicks off with the launch of Protexis™ Latex Hydrogel surgical gloves this month. The remainder of the powder-free portfolio will transition to the Protexis™ name in 2012.

To learn more about the new Protexis™ Latex Hydrogel surgical gloves and the new brand, contact Linda McNeilly, director of marketing and product management for surgical gloves at Cardinal Health, at 1-847-887-2027 or [email protected].

About Cardinal Health

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $103 billion health care services company that improves the cost-effectiveness of health care. As the business behind health care, Cardinal Health helps pharmacies, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices focus on patient care while reducing costs, enhancing efficiency and improving quality. Cardinal Health is an essential link in the health care supply chain, providing pharmaceuticals and medical products to more than 60,000 locations each day. The company is also a leading manufacturer of medical and surgical products, including gloves, surgical apparel and fluid management products. In addition, the company supports the growing diagnostic industry by supplying medical products to clinical laboratories and operating the nation's largest network of radiopharmacies that dispense products to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ranked #19 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 30,000 people worldwide. More information about the company may be found at cardinalhealth.com and @CardinalHealth on Twitter.

SOURCE Cardinal Health