 Chris Heezen Sealed Air Medical Applications Executive Director, Global Medical Flexibles Visit Website |
Named Executive Director, Global Medical Flexibles for Sealed Air Medical Applications in September 2008, Chris Heezen is responsible for the business management of Sealed Air’s technically advanced Nexcel Films. These high-performance materials designed for pharmaceutical and medical applications include non-PVC film used in the packaging of IV injectable solutions, high barrier films, and medical device packaging materials.
Heezen has worked in sales and marketing positions involving medical device and pharmaceutical packaging since 1986. Prior to joining Sealed Air Medical Applications, Heezen held the position of Director of Regional Sales at Amcor Flexibles; worked in the role of Business Development Manager for Laminations at Rexam Medical Packaging; held positions including Key Account Manager, Product Manager for Films, Film Specialist and Sales Representative at Perfecseal, a Bemis Company; and worked as a Technical Sales Representative at Rollprint Packaging Products. Heezen earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Norbert College, as well as a Master’s of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. Sealed Air develops packaging and performance-based materials and equipment systems that serve an array of food, industrial, medical and consumer applications. Operating in 52 countries, Sealed Air’s international reach generated revenue of US$4.8 billion in 2008. With widely recognized brands such as Bubble Wrap brand cushioning, Jiffy protective mailers, Nelipak custom thermoformed products and Cryovac packaging technology, Sealed Air continues to identify new trends, foster new markets, and deliver innovative solutions to its customers. |
Medical and Pharmaceutical Packaging, Primary Films and Flexible Packaging Materials Q&A
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Regarding air integrity tests on medical device packaging: Could you tell me if pinholes in the film that are smaller than holes in porous paper, thus keeping the sterile barrier intact, are acceptable?Answered September 15th, 2009 by Expert:The accepted wisdom regarding medical paper and Tyvek as a sterile barrier is that harmful microbes are prevented from entering the packs because they get caught up in the “tortuous pathways” created by the random nature of fibre orientation. It is also considered that a hole with a diameter less than 0.5 µm will prevent a microbe from passing through. Although the pore size in paper is often larger than this critical dimension, the pathways protect the sterile barrier and keep it intact.
As extruded films do not have any form of resin or fibre orientation, they offer a short pathway that will not “capture” bacteria trying to pass through a possible pinhole. It is also likely that holes, where they do occur, will have a diameter greater than the critical size.
Further research into this area was started at Michigan State University by Dr Laura Bix and Dr Jane Severin in 2003. I am not aware that any firm conclusions were reached, as elements such as pressure differential during transport were also being assessed, but in the interests of patient safety, I recommend zero tolerance on pinholes in film used to make a sterile barrier.