Med-Tech Innovation Materials


Building the Future with BIOMEDICAL TEXTILES


Todd Blair of Biomedical Structures discusses the capabilities of biomedical textiles, which offer alternative options for breakthrough devices in orthopaedics, cardiology and drug delivery.


lastics, metals and alloys such as stainless steel, titanium and cobalt chromium have long been the standard for stabilisation implants in orthopaedics and other therapeutic areas. Yet, as medical device developers look increasingly to new material options to differentiate product performance, the appeal of polymers is growing. In orthopaedics and cardiology particularly the use of fibre-based implant solutions has a long and successful history. But it is only just now that device developers are beginning to understand the incredible breadth of possibilities for fabric components that have the strength of their metal counterparts and the biocompatibility of more natural materials. For engineers, fully leveraging the benefits of these polymers depends on a combination of expert fibre selection and advanced engineering capabilities to deliver a structure that promises superior implant performance.


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Choosing the right materials Biomaterials are beginning to shape next generation medical devices in unprecedented new ways. Some current applications include permanent and absorbable sutures and other repair devices such as soft tissue support mesh in uro-gynecologic applications. New applications include materials for tissue engineering scaffolds and conduits.


As device companies look to the next phase of performance, fibres have the capability to deliver the same level of stability as traditional metals and ceramics with the more biomimetic form of natural materials. From traditional textile fibres such as nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyetherketoneketone (PEEK) to breakthrough composites are evolving. Examples include absorbable drug loaded fibres and core and sheath fibres that are hybrids existing of a common polymer such as a


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