At the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) Congress in Barcelona (Spain), Medicel will be showing why it is one of the most innovative companies in the industry with its new terralution range: The single-use injectors and I/A handpieces of the brand new product family are not only safe, clean and powerful, but also more environmentally friendly than comparable reusable systems.
This result even surprises experts: The carbon footprint of Medicel’s new terralution range is up to 51% smaller than that of comparable reusable systems).1
In addition to the less sustainable raw materials used for reusables, the reason for this are the reprocessing and disposal methods which consume a great deal of energy. Medicel from Altenrhein (Switzerland) therefore proves that single-use products and sustainability for ophthalmic surgery are no longer contradictions – on the contrary.
The key environmental data of terralution is so impressive that companies, hospitals and surgeries can achieve their environmental and sustainability goals more effectively with the new system than with reusables.
“The result of the life cycle analysis, which was carried out by an independent, external institute, even raises the question for me as to whether reusable systems can be sustainable at all,” commented Medicel CEO Mauro Bühler.
A holistic, radical approach
The impressive product properties of terralution have been made possible by a development process that is fully focused on consistent eco-design: Product dimensions and packaging have been minimised and optimised, conventional raw materials have been replaced by bio-based, recyclable or renewable materials, production processes have been optimised and modifications have been made along the entire value chain to enable minimum use of natural resources.2,3
The effort was worth it: Not only material consumption and the related amount of waste, but also water consumption, CO2 emissions and various other environmental indicators have been massively improved.
“It’s incredible what the team was able achieve with the terralution range with regard to sustainability without having any compromise on performance, safety and quality,” the CEO commented. “Such a performance with brilliant environmental values – this has really exceeded our expectations.”
DUALCEL terralution and BICELTM terralution
What are the major advantages of the new product family in addition to its environmental friendliness and high purity standards? DUALCEL terralution is the sustainable injector alternative that has an impressively smaller product design with the same performance features.
A major advantage of DUALCEL terralution is the freedom of use for the surgeon offered by the combination of push and screw.
Various loading methods and a wide range of cartridges and required incision sizes offer maximum flexibility and safety. BICEL terralution is the sustainable bimanual I/A that combines the best properties of the currently available Medicel product family in one sustainable product.
The track-proven aeroplane shape of the cannulas and the grip structure of the new handpiece design ensure intuitive and comfortable handling as well as precise control during use.
BICEL terralution is compatible with common luer connectors and is available in different colour coding of the preferred sizes 23G and 21G.
Next step: Transformation
The development of high-precision and reliable innovations “Made in Switzerland” has been one of Medicel’s core competencies since the company was founded. Thinking further ahead than others, being daring and, above all, fast implementation is incorporated into the company’s DNA.
According to CEO Mauro Bühler, these capabilities will be expanded even further. “Our world is undergoing a major transformation process that we as a company want to help shape in a responsible manner. Sustainability is a corporate value that we live by. Our entire future will be sustainable.”
Further information: www.terralution.ch , www.medicel.com
References
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) according to DIN ISO 14064-7 / 14040-4; Procycons GbR, 2024
MEDPETG brochure, 2024
Egger Druck & Medien GmbH sustainability brochure, 2024