Infection Prevention
Increase performance of your infection prevention devices through continuous innovation
Through decades of partnering with the world’s leading companies and brands of infection prevention devices, Porex is the leader in bringing innovation and performance to solve your design challenges in filtering, venting, and wicking applications. POREX® solutions include sterilization container reusable filters, safety IV catheter vents, suction canister filters, and fume absorbers. By developing custom solutions to current product design challenges, we help companies innovate new infection prevention products to capture a competitive edge.
Sterilization Container Reusable Filters
Cost savings and convenience with reusable sterilizer filters
Safety IV Catheter Vents
Protect healthcare workers from pathogen exposure when using IV catheters
Arterial Syringe Vents
Protect healthcare workers when collecting blood samples
Suction Canister Filters
Protect central vacuum system lines from contaminants in collection canisters
Fume Absorber
Prevent operating room infections by absorbing infectious fumes
Sterilization Container Reusable Filters
Cost savings and convenience with reusable sterilizer filters
Our POREX Virtek® reusable filters function in two ways: as a vent to allow pressure equalization during the sterilization process, and as a filter barrier to bacteria during subsequent storage. These reusable filters, comprised of sintered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), are engineered and designed to withstand repeated sterilization cycles as well as deliver substantial performance, convenience, and cost savings over traditional single-use paper and textile filter materials.
Free of animal-derived additives and considered UPS Class VI, these reusable filters:
- Withstand repeated autoclave sterilization –Durable POREX Virtek PTFE material is designed to withstand repeated sterilization cycles, leading to cost savings and greater convenience.
- Have a printable surface – Batch ID and date codes can be printed on filters.
- Deliver high airflow and maintain sterile integrity–POREX Virtek PTFE is a sintered porous plastic that is inherently hydrophobic and is engineered for high airflow and high bacterial filtration efficiency to your specifications.
- Do not need to be replaced for the life of the container. Install it and forget it.
- Free of PFOA: Compliant with (EC) 1907/2006 REACH / Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 POP
Porex Virtek® PTFE Life Sciences membrane portfolio
| Material | Thickness mm Nominal | Typical Airflow l/hr/cm2 at 70 mbar | BFE* % Nominal | VFE** % Nominal | Typical WEP*** mBar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD10 | 0.13 | 125 (min 70) | >99.9 | † | 270 (min 175) |
| MD10L | 0.3 | 85 (min 48) | >99.9 | † | 270 (min 175) |
| MD15 | 0.18 | 70 (min 45) | >99.99 | † | 380 (min 265) |
| MD20 | 0.25 | 34 (min 16) | >99.9999 | >99.999 | 520 (min 350) |
| MD25 | 0.19 | 5 (min 2) | >99.9999 | † | 1000 (min 750) |
** VFE (Viral Filtration Efficiency), † Not tested but similar results to MD20 expected.
*** WEP (Water Entry Pressure)
Properties are typical and not meant for specifications. Selected options and adhesives may affect properties
Complete testing data and information is available upon request – all exceeded the standard BFE value of 98%
RoHS, WEEE, REACH Compliant (PFOA Free)
Staphylococcus aureus (gram pos)
| Product | Initial CFU | 24 hrs CFU | % Reduction | Log Reductions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negative Control | 3.3 x 106 | 3.7 x 106 | -13 | -0.05 |
| Standard Product | 3.3 x 106 | 3.4 x 106 | -2 | -0.01 |
Escherichia coli (gram neg)
| Product | Initial CFU | 24 hrs CFU | % Reduction | Log Reductions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negative Control | 2.4 x 106 | 2.9 x 107 | -13 | -0.05 |
| Standard Product | 2.4 x 106 | 2.8 x 107 | -2 | -0.01 |
Escherichia coli
| Sample Time | Volume (L) | E. Coli Challenge Counts (CFU/mL) | E. Coli Effluent Counts (CFU/mL) | % Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Sec | 0.5 | 690,000 | 0 | 100 |
| 1 Min 30 Sec | 1.5 | 690,000 | 0 | 100 |
| 3 Min 30 Sec | 3.5 | 690,000 | 0.00% | 100 |
| 5 Min 30 Sec | 5.3 | 690,000 | 0 | 100 |
Related Resources:
On-Demand Webinar: Improvements in Surgical and Medical Device Sterilization
Tech Brief: Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) Testing in Medical Devices: Innovative Material Components that Protect Against HAIs
Tech Brief: Surgical and Medical Device Sterilization: Achieving Safety & Sustainability through Material Innovation
Datasheet: Reusable sterilization container filters
Demonstration video: Sustainable Sterilization Part 1: Reusable Sterilization Container Filters vs Blue-Wrap Demonstration video: Sustainable Sterilization Part 2: Disposable Sterilization Container Filters vs Reusable Filters Brochure: Porex Virtek Medical PTFE Materials and Filters
Datasheet: Porex Medical Materials and Filters
Factsheet : Porex Virtek PTFE vs Pall Versapor Membrane
Demonstration video: Porex Virtek PFOA Free Membrane vs. Cast and Non-woven Membranes
Demonstration video: Demo of Porex Virtek PTFE Common Joining Techniques
Article: Examining Device Packaging and Sterilization Options
Safety IV Catheter Vents
Protect healthcare workers from pathogen exposure when using IV catheters.
POREX® safety IV catheter vents are self-sealing vent components assembled into a safety IV catheter device. This medical device is inserted into a patient’s vein to serve several important functions: to obtain blood samples from patients, to introduce fluids such as sterile saline, or to administer drugs such as IV antibiotics.
The self-sealing POREX safety IV catheter vents immediately shut off upon contact with fluids – including blood – thereby eliminating blood bypass in the “flashback chamber” to protect healthcare employees from exposure to blood and bloodborne pathogens.
Compatible with gamma, e-beam, and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization processes, our safety IV catheter vents:
- Protect healthcare employees from exposure–The vent’s “self-sealing” ability to immediately shut off upon contact with fluids eliminates fluid bypass and protects healthcare employees from blood and bloodborne pathogens.
- Meet airflow requirements – Optimized design provides desired airflow and pressure drop characteristics under venous pressure.
- Can be customized to specific assembly needs – Vent designs can be optimized for integrating into specific devices and for high-volume automated assembly.
- Free of PFOA: Compliant with (EC) 1907/2006 REACH / Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 POP
Porex Virtek® PTFE Life Sciences membrane portfolio
| Material | Thickness mm Nominal | Typical Airflow l/hr/cm2 at 70 mbar | BFE* % Nominal | VFE** % Nominal | Typical WEP*** mBar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD10 | 0.13 | 125 (min 70) | >99.9 | † | 270 (min 175) |
| MD10L | 0.3 | 85 (min 48) | >99.9 | † | 270 (min 175) |
| MD15 | 0.18 | 70 (min 45) | >99.99 | † | 380 (min 265) |
| MD20 | 0.25 | 34 (min 16) | >99.9999 | >99.999 | 520 (min 350) |
| MD25 | 0.19 | 5 (min 2) | >99.9999 | † | 1000 (min 750) |
** VFE (Viral Filtration Efficiency), † Not tested but similar results to MD20 expected.
*** WEP (Water Entry Pressure)
Properties are typical and not meant for specifications. Selected options and adhesives may affect properties
Complete testing data and information is available upon request – all exceeded the standard BFE value of 98%
RoHS, WEEE, REACH Compliant (PFOA Free)
Related Resources:
Datasheet: SAFETY IV CATHETER VENTS
Brochure: Porex Medical Materials and Filters
Brochure: Porex Virtek Medical PTFE Materials and Filters
Factsheet : Porex Virtek PTFE vs Pall Versapor Membrane
Animation video: IV Catheter Vent
Demonstration video: Porex Virtek PFOA Free Membrane vs. Cast and Non-woven Membranes
Demonstration video: Demo of Porex Virtek PTFE Common Joining Techniques
Arterial Syringe Vents
Protect healthcare workers when collecting blood samples
POREX® arterial syringe vents are engineered to eliminate blood bypass in arterial syringe devices when collecting blood samples from patients for blood gas analysis.
Compatible with gamma, e-beam, and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization processes, our arterial syringe vents:
- Vent out gases at high airflow under arterial pressure
- Can be customized to specific assembly needs – Vent designs can be optimized for integrating into the syringe and for high-volume automated assembly
- Maintain sample integrity –The vent’s “self-sealing” ability traps the blood thereby preserving the sample in a controlled environment.
- Free of PFOA: Compliant with (EC) 1907/2006 REACH / Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 POP
Porex Virtek® PTFE Life Sciences membrane portfolio
| Material | Thickness mm Nominal | Typical Airflow l/hr/cm2 at 70 mbar | BFE* % Nominal | VFE** % Nominal | Typical WEP*** mBar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD10 | 0.13 | 125 (min 70) | >99.9 | † | 270 (min 175) |
| MD10L | 0.3 | 85 (min 48) | >99.9 | † | 270 (min 175) |
| MD15 | 0.18 | 70 (min 45) | >99.99 | † | 380 (min 265) |
| MD20 | 0.25 | 34 (min 16) | >99.9999 | >99.999 | 520 (min 350) |
| MD25 | 0.19 | 5 (min 2) | >99.9999 | † | 1000 (min 750) |
** VFE (Viral Filtration Efficiency), † Not tested but similar results to MD20 expected.
*** WEP (Water Entry Pressure)
Properties are typical and not meant for specifications. Selected options and adhesives may affect properties
Complete testing data and information is available upon request – all exceeded the standard BFE value of 98%
RoHS, WEEE, REACH Compliant (PFOA Free)
Related Resources:
Brochure: Porex Medical Materials and Filters
Datasheet: Arterial syringe vents
Animation video: Arterial syringe vent Demonstration video: Porex Virtek PFOA Free Membrane vs. Cast and Non-woven Membranes
Brochure: Porex Virtek Medical PTFE Materials and Filters
Factsheet : Porex Virtek PTFE vs Pall Versapor Membrane
Demonstration video: Demo of Porex Virtek PTFE Common Joining Techniques
Suction Canister Filters
Protect central vacuum system lines from contaminants in collection canisters
Hospital central vacuum systems support many devices used in surgical procedures. Designed to be self-sealing, our POREX® suction canister filters help maintain the integrity of these systems. POREX® suction canister filters effectively filter the air and protect the vacuum system lines from contaminants in the fluid contained within the collection canister.
Comprised of porous plastic containing a functional additive, our suction canister filters behave as a valve by automatically and instantly shutting off airflow from the collection canister when collected fluids come in contact with the filter.
With its single-body design that meets original equipment manufacturer (OEM) needs for high-volume, single press-fit assembly, POREX suction canister filters:
- Prevent infections–Self-sealing design prevents infectious fluid from entering the hospital central vacuum lines.
- Meet specific airflow and filtration requirements–Optimized designs have high airflow and high bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), thereby preventing infections.
- Can be designed as a single component for easier, press-fit assembly eliminating the cost and complexity of multi-part mechanical valves.
| BFE Results (modified ASTM F2101) | |||
| Product | Description | BFE | Airflow SCFH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPV1 | Standard BFE | 99.98% | 29.2 |
| PPV2 | High BFE | 99.996% | 27.6 |
| PPV3 | Super BFE | 99.999994% | 15 |
Related Resources:
Brochure: Porex Medical Materials and Filters
Animation video: Self-sealing suction canister vent filter
Demonstration video: Demo of Porex Virtek PTFE Common Joining Techniques
Fume Absorbers
Prevent operating room infections by absorbing infectious fumes
POREX® porous fume absorbers are used for the convenient and efficient eradication of noxious fumes generated in the cement-bone mixing process during surgical procedures in hospital operating rooms.
Designed with porous plastic disks that surround activated carbon material, POREX porous fume absorbers create a porous fume filter that supports balanced air flow rates, optimal back flow pressure, and out-gas residence times.
Accommodating device fit requirements with its specified part geometry, our porous fume absorbers:
- Prevent toxic fume and gas escape in operating rooms–Effectively absorbs fumes and gases, preventing exposure in operating rooms.
- Balance airflow with residence time for optimal absorption within a specific device geometry.
- Easy press-fit assembly–Complex layered component is designed for a simple press-fit assembly into the mixing device.
Related Resources:
Brochure: Porex Medical Materials and Filters
Animation video: Porex Fume Absorber
Demonstration video: Demo of Porex Virtek PTFE Common Joining Techniques