Heartworm Test Wick

A manufacturer plans to launch a diagnostic test for detecting heartworms and turns to Porex for design assistance. Porex aces it with a solution that translates into veterinary market sales and share for the manufacturer.

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Design Challenge:
Porex was challenged with a development opportunity within the veterinary market. A device manufacturer needed a hydrophilic structure capable of wicking whole blood in a consistent and quick manner. Once developed, the manufacturer of this device planned to sale a diagnostic kit capable of detecting heartworms in canines. In order to be successful, the interstitial pores in the test’s porous structure could not trap canine red blood cells. Additionally, the wicking properties had to be stable over time.

Solution:
Porex’s developmental engineers were able to select an optimized porous plastic raw material from thousands of material grades through their extensive work in the writing instrument field. With assistance from the customer and Porex’s raw material supplier, an aggressive raw material specification and pre-sampling program was implemented to ensure functional compliance in the finished product. This sampling program and extensive material development also helped ensure product stability over time.

Result:
As a result of the partnered development efforts coordinated with the customer, Porex’s raw material supplier, and Porex development engineers, the manufacture of this finished device enjoys product design advantages that have translated into market ownership for this innovative device.

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