Value Plastics, owned by Nordson, has introduced a new line of disposable sanitary clamps for securing fittings to bag ports and filters in the biopharmaceutical market. The PharmaLok clamps are designed to perform without the help of other medical devices, decreasing the complexity and unwieldy nature of such procedures, according to the company, which reduces the need for existing solutions that consist of multiple components.

“User-friendly solutions are increasingly demanded, and single-use systems have developed into an overwhelming market trend. Incorporating these factors into the PharmaLok has resulted in an ideal solution for our customers,” said Ken Davis, global marketing manager for Value Plastics.

The clamp can be operated with one hand. It works by resting the fitting in PharmaLok’s regulation-size slot, then lightly gripping the surrounding handles until three clicks confirm a secure connection. The clamps of course are hygienic, made of a glass-filled nylon material that is both USP (United States Pharmacopeial) Class VI and ISO 11137 certified and ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) BPE 2009 DT-5-3 compliant, all of which means the device meets international sterilization standards.

Fort Collins, Colo.-based Value Plastics manufactures fluid fittings and other fluid management components used with the flexible tubing employed in healthcare and biopharmaceutical applications.

Nordson Corp. is based in Westlake, Ohio, and is involved in the manufacture of products and systems used for dispensing adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials and other materials, fluid management, test and inspection, UV curing and plasma surface treatments. Nordson acquired Value Plastics in June of last year.