Application support for IV filtration devices

An interview with Matt Stenning, head of our medical SLS Team

SLS stands for Scientific and Laboratory Services. We provide scientific expertise for all Pall Medical filtration devices. SLS can make a difference in all stages of product development, be it prototype testing, performance claims testing, or supporting regulatory submissions. We know our filtration devices inside out and are therefore best placed to provide solutions for our customers’ applications requirements and to troubleshoot any problems that might occur.

Who are we?

SLS is a group of highly skilled biochemists, chemists, and microbiologists who work in close cooperation with customers across the globe. We have scientists positioned in Europe, US, China, and Japan, with access to modern laboratory facilities.

What customers does SLS support in IV?

SLS offers applications support for healthcare providers in hospitals and for third parties such as infusion set manufacturers, biotech companies manufacturing drugs, or clients who want to develop a customized filtration device.

Why do customers contact SLS and how can you help them? What tests do you offer?

There are a number of reasons that SLS support would be requested. For instance, a biotech customer may wish to co-package one of their drugs with one of our filters. The drug has a certain shelf-life period, so the customer needs to demonstrate that our filter can meet their requirements regarding that shelf life. We provide the necessary data regarding flow, integrity, and compatibility with our filters. Drug compatibility studies reassure clients that a certain drug is not adsorbed onto the filter but will in fact reach the patient as planned.

Another client wants to develop a customized filtration solution, have it validated to their requirement, and start the regulatory submission. Working closely together with our customer, we ensure they have all the necessary documentation in place.

We are also able to provide data to confirm our filters meet necessary requirements with regard to microbial retention, and to that end perform bacterial, yeast, or endotoxin retention studies.

Are healthcare providers aware of changing guidelines that increasingly advocate the use of filters?

As guidelines on the use of filters are updated, such as the ASPEN and INS guidelines (13-15), we work with healthcare providers to enable their adoption. As more and more studies demonstrate the clinical benefit of using filters, and guidelines are reacting to this new evidence, we expect a highly increased demand in filtration devices.

How can customers contact the SLS team?

The easiest way is through the Scientific and Laboratory Services web page. Alternatively, your local sales representative can put you in contact with us.

References

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• Jack T, Brent BE, Boehne M, Müller M, Sewald K, Braun A, et al. Analysis of particulate contaminations of infusion solutions in a pediatric intensive care unit. Intensive Care Med. 2010;36:707 -711. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-010-1775-y.
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• Jack T, Boehne M, Brent BE, Hoy L, Kӧditz H, Wessel A, et al. In-line filtration reduces severe complications and length of stay on pediatric intensive care unit: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Intensive Care Med. 2012;38:1008–1016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-012-2539-7.
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• Sasse M, Dziuba F, Jack T, Kӧditz H, Kaussen T, Bertram H, et al. In-line Filtration Decreases Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, Renal and Hematologic Dysfunction in Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Patients. Pediatr Cardiol. 2015;36(6):1270-1278. doi:10.1007/s00246-015-1157-x.
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• Villa G, Giua R, Amass T, Tofani L, Chelazzi C, Pinelli F, et al. In-line filtration reduced phlebitis associated with peripheral venous cannulation: Focus on cost-effectiveness and patients’ perspectives. J Vasc Access. 2020;21(2):154–160. doi:10.1177/1129729819861187.
• Virlouvet A-L, Pansiot J, Toumazi A, Colella M, Capewell A, Guerriero E, et al. In-line filtration in very preterm neonates: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):5003). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-61815-4.
• Gorski L. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. Home Healthc Now. 2017;35(1):10-18. doi:10.1097/NHH.0000000000000481.
• Ayers P, Adams S, Boullata J, Gervasio J, Holcombe B, Kraft MD, et al. A.S.P.E.N. parenteral nutrition safety consensus recommendations. J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2014;38(3):296-333. doi:10.1177/0148607113511992.
• Worthington P, Gura KM, Kraft MD, Nishikawa R, Guenter P, Sacks GS, et al. Update on the Use of Filters for Parenteral Nutrition: An ASPEN Position Paper. Nutr Clin Pract. 2020;36(1):29-39. doi:10.1002/ncp.10587.

Author bio

Dr. Volker Luibl, MBA

Dr. Luibl is a demand generation marketing manager with knowledge in medical device and clinical science.