NP Plastibell adds ultra-miniaturised ST NFC tags to pre-filled syringes

NP Plastibell pre-filled syringe with ultra-miniaturised ST NFC tags
CONNECTED: ST’s ST25TV NFC tag is integrated into the body of the syringe and stores medicine data

PARTNER NEWS: Healthcare technology provider NP Plastibell has incorporated an ultra-miniaturised NFC tag developed by STMicroelectronics into a connected pre-filled syringe, enabling patients and their doctors and nurses to check the authenticity of the medication and view usage recommendations and warnings.

ST’s ST25TV NFC tag is integrated directly into the body of the syringe and stores data about the medicine that the syringe contains, including dosage recommendations, expiry date, storage conditions and special instructions for its use.

“ST helped NP Plastibell overcome the various constraints linked to the NFC tag and the life cycle of pre-filled syringes. These included sterilisation of the syringe at temperatures above 130°C by autoclave without damaging the electronics,” ST says.

Full details are in the press release below:

NP Plastibell presents innovative connected syringe based on NFC technology from STMicroelectronics

  • Pre-filled syringe stores important product and manufacturing data
  • Innovative device to be unveiled at Pharmapack, May 18-19, in Paris

NP Plastibell has announced a pre-filled connected syringe containing a near-field communication (NFC) tag from STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications. Integrated inside the body of the syringe, the tag enables manufacturing, medical personnel, and patients to access important medicine-related information.

The ultra-miniaturised NFC tag is directly over-molded into the syringe by NP Plastibell. While the syringe is filled with medicine, the NFC tag can store related information to allow the patient and their doctors and nurses to validate its legitimacy, view the manufacturing history, see usage recommendations, and find any other important information or warnings.

NP Plastibell faced a broad range of challenges in developing the connected syringe. In addition to creating a manufacturing process that embeds the NFC tag in the syringe and protects it from the medical contents, ST helped NP Plastibell overcome the various constraints linked to the NFC tag and the life cycle of pre-filled syringes. These included sterilisation of the syringe at temperatures above 130°C by autoclave without damaging the electronics.

As a world leader in semiconductor manufacturing with experience of embedding its NFC tags in unique products, ST is developing and providing a broad portfolio of robust NFC tag ICs addressing multiple markets including the medical and pharmaceutical ones.

“NFC tags can store product-specific information in web links or even in a dedicated app. In this connected syringe, the tag helps medical staff get accurate information quickly on their mobile phone or using an NFC reader to find out the correct dosage, special instructions, expiration dates, storage conditions, or any other important data. Patients can also easily set up reminders by scanning the tag with their mobile,” explains Yvon Gourdou, EMEA application and marketing director, microcontrollers and digital ICs group, STMicroelectronics.

NP Plastibell is planning to further develop connected medical devices based on ST’s ST25TV NFC tag IC: “Once this technology is on the market, we can extend it to other medical products and so bring similar connected value to equipment such as surgical devices, implant packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, and diagnostic devices,” explains Matthieu Besse, R&D manager at NP Plastibell.

Meet us at Pharmapack in Paris on May 18-19 for more information (at NP Plastibell booth E74).

For further information about ST’s ST25 tags and readers, visit: https://www.st.com/en/nfc/st25-nfc-rfid-tags-readers.html