New GORE™ Adsorbent Filter Streamlines Medical Device Manufacturing

ELKTON, Md.--(Business Wire)--
W. L. Gore & Associates, a world leader in supplying high-performance,
specialized filtration products, has developed the new GORE Adsorbent Filter, an
integrated filtration solution that simplifies the manufacturing process of
medical devices without compromising product performance. With both activated
carbon media and Gore`s proprietary expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)
membrane, this new filter delivers the best combination of adsorption, high
airflow, and liquid resistance available in the market today.

GORE Adsorbent Filters reduce device manufacturing costs in several ways. First,
device manufacturers can avoid the capital investment in equipment and operating
expenses for filter assembly - including raw material and filter scrap - and
reduce manufacturing and quality assurance overhead. Second, filter integration
processes and equipment can be simplified because of a simple peel-and-stick
method. Third, manufacturers can streamline the supply chain and consolidate
their supplier base. These cost reductions lead to productivity gains in
operations.

According to Tom Quinci, Gore`s North American medical filtration product
manager, one of Gore`s core values is to develop products based on the specific
need of their customers and the requirements of their device, a value they call
fitness for use. "In working with medical device manufacturers, we found they
were using complicated processes to produce filter subassemblies. Universally,
production groups wanted a combined product. `We`re not a filter company, we
make medical devices,` one customer explained. In the end, we developed a
product to meet the needs of a broad customer base."

This new filter combines filtration and adsorption media with a flexible
automation process to produce cost-effective adsorption filters. Quinci adds,
"Our product testing has confirmed the filter`s performance and verified its
most important functionality - liquid retention. The GORE Adsorbent Filter
simplifies our customers` manufacturing processes and enhances the performance
of their devices."

W. L. Gore & Associates is a world-renown manufacturer of thousands of advanced
technology products and is perhaps best known as the inventors of ePTFE and the
makers of GORE-TEX® fabric. With more than $2.5 billion in annual sales and
8,000 employees in 80 countries throughout the world, W. L. Gore & Associates
provides diverse, high-performance solutions in pharmaceutical, consumer,
industrial, electronic, medical and surgical markets. For more information about
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. and Gore Medical Membrane Technologies, call
1.800.455.4670, or visit www.gore.com/medical_membranes.

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W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Greg Apps, +1.410.506.8783
gapps@wlgore.com

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