Shepherd Bismuth Subcarbonate
Foster is the exclusive distributor of bismuth subcarbonate manufactured by Shepherd Chemical. Minimally invasive devices that are guided by x-ray or fluoroscopy, such as vascular catheters, often use bismuth subcarbonate as an additive for enhanced device visibility.
Available Medical Grades:
Shepherd’s bismuth subcarbonate is manufactured using a proprietary milling process to achieve particle sizes below 0.3 micrometers (1.2 x 10-5 inches). These fine particles allow for optimal dispersion of the radiopaque filler throughout the polymer during melt blending. This results in the excellent surface finish and consistent radiopacity throughout the device component. Common resins include thermoplastic urethanes (TPUs), polyamides (nylon 11 and 12), and polyether block amide copolymers (Pebax®).
- Technical Data Sheet: Download
Shepherd RadioMax™ 1467M implantable Bismuth Subcarbonate is a permanently implantable Bismuth Subcarbonate for applications where radiopacity of an implanted medical device is required. RadioMax is manufactured with tightened specifications in an ISO quality controlled manufacturing environment so practitioners and patients can be assured of the highest possible standards of quality as well as excellent performance characteristics. Advantages of Bismuth Subcarbonate added as a radiopacifier in medical devices include greater radiopacity with lower additions as compared to barium sulfate resulting in better maintenance of polymer properties after addition.