All Femistent dilators, handles and Grips are manufactured from high quality medical grade plastics. This is an extremely important safety feature and contributes greatly to the cost of Femistent dilators. There are many plastics available in the market, many of which carry a variety of approvals, however only a few meet the safety standards of those used by Femistent. Consider this very carefully if you are considering using other dilators. Femistent believes that the incremental cost of using such materials is small against the costs of surgery and ones health generally.
Tecaform AH MT [polyacetal copolymer] is the material used to manufacture the Lara and Vesta ranges of Femistent dilators. The Tecaform AH MT resins used by Femistent meet the requirements of FDA 21 CFR 177.2470, with colourants added which meet the requirements of FDA 21 CFR 178.3297. Specific lower viscosity grades to the raw material used have been tested and met the requirements for bio-compatibility according to USP Class VI. The semi-finished product has been tested and has met the requirements for bio-compatibility according to ISO 10993-5Cytotoxicity.
Tecason P MT [polyphenylenesulphone] is the material used to manufacture the Pandora and Selene ranges of Femistent dilators and the Femistent Grip. For the Rosegold Tecason P MT, the resin used conforms to the requirements of USP Class IV. The colourant in this resin conforms to meets the requirements of FDA 21 CFR 178.3297 and has been tested in other resins which passed USP testing. While for the platinum Tecason P MT, the resin conforms to the requirements of USP Class IV. The colourant in this resin meets the requirements of FDA 21 CFR 178.3297. The semi-finished product has been tested and meets the requirements of biocompatablility according to ISO 10993-5 Cytoxicity.
A third material, Tecapeek Peek can also be made available for Femistent dilators and handles, but only by special order. Tecapeek is a very high performance medical grade plastic, and worth considering for people whowant the absolute best. However, a typical dilator will cost more than 10 times as much as an equivalent made from Tecason P MT. Prices of dilators made from this material are available on request as a Juno Special Requirement.
The various performance characteristics of all these materials, in terms of their ability to withstand high temperatures and their resistance to sterilisation and chemicals are summarised in the following three figures.
Note: HDT-A denotes Heat Deflection Temperature.
Please click on the figure below to obtain a full screen image (.pdf)
Please click on the figure below to obtain a full screen image (.pdf)
Please click on the figure below to obtain a full screen image (.pdf)
It is clear from Figures 10, 11 and 12 that Tecason P MT (Selene and Pandora) soundly outperforms Tecaform AH MT (Lara), whilst Tecapeek (Juno)outperforms Tecason P MT. However, most people do not often, if ever, clean their dilators in a professional autoclave or use similarsterilization equipment so a dilator made from Tecaform AH MTwill last well within a typical domestic environment and should not degrade with multiple thorough cleanings.
However, if one is going to use one or two particular dilators for a period extending beyond say 18 months or 2 years, then it would be worth considering selecting a Femistent dilator made from a more resilient material such as Tecason PMT, i.e. from either the Selene or Pandora ranges.
Please note: Colour variations between individual dilator products of theoretically the same colour are to be expected as are very occasional dark spots in the material itself. These are characteristics of the plastics manufacturing processes within Ensinger and do not effect either the integrity or quality of these medical grade plastics.
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Femistent Design and Technical Features | Product Numbering System | Dilator Materials | Product Names
Product Names
All Femistent product names have their roots in Greek/Roman mythology.
Lara:
Lara (also called Tacita) was the Goddess of silence. She was a Naiad Nymph who fell in love with Hermes (Mercury) and had two sons, the Lares, who were highly venerated by the Romans. Later, Lara was equated with the earth goddess Larenta and venerated at a festival called Larentalia which was held initially on 23rd December, but later biannually. The Lares were believed to be guardians of the family supposedly residing in high places such as chimneystacks.
Selene:
Selene was the Moon Goddess best known for her numerous love affairs, even having three children with Zeus (Jupiter), the ruler of the Gods and Mount Olympus. She is usually depicted as a youthful women with a pale but beautiful complexion travelling around on a silver horse drawn chariot. Her amorous exploits make Selene a favourite with many poets especially those more inclined towards the romantic. It is said that when moonlight from Selene falls on sleeping mortals it helps them fall in love
Pandora:
In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on earth. She was made using water and earth, on the orders of Zeus. Pandora was often called the ?all gifted? one as she was given many talents, including beauty, music and persuasion. However, Pandora was eventually presented with a box which, despite being ordered to the contrary, she decided to open. Immediately all evil escaped from the box into the world. But at the bottom of the box, one thing remained, - Hope.
Juno:
Juno (Hera in Greek) is a prominent goddess appearing frequently in both literature and art, where she is usually depicted as being both very beautiful and very cunning. She is the wife (and sister!) of Jupiter and therefore Queen of Mount Olympus.
Juno is the patron of marriage and as such is meant to represent a divine model for the role of women in human marriage. This is perhaps surprising given that her relationship with her husband was not exactly always a bed of roses. On one occasion, wishing to influence the outcome of the war between the Greeks and Trojans, she realized that she would have to somehow distract Jupiter from monitoring the battle. This would enable her and the other gods to interfere as they pleased. She decided the best way to achieve this was by seducing Jupiter which she eventually did by creating a very contorted story that has kept many mythologists busy for ages.
Vesta:
The goddess Vesta, often called the virginal Hestia (Greek form), is the goddess of the hearth responsible for the right ordering of the family and its home. It was customary in ancient Roman times for a flame taken from the official hearth in the Town Hall to be carried to a new settlement as a form of blessing.
There are very few myths surviving about Vesta, especially when compared to the many about other Gods of Olympus. This is believed to be as a result of her peaceful nature. However Vesta (often under different names) was in fact a force of considerable ancient importance.
Worship of Vesta, as guardian of the all important hearth at the centre of the home, is hundreds of thousands of years old and has continued even into present times.
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