Cardiovascular: Extending device performance

The challenges of cardiovascular disease requires specialized procedures and tools. Our biomedical polymers are used worldwide in heart valves, artificial hearts, ventricular-assist devices, catheters, stents and guidewires. Medical device manufacturers trust our innovative science to help make their devices smaller, stronger and more resilient to meet the growing needs of patients living longer lives.

Helping medical devices work better

It’s estimated that the human heart beats about three billion times in the average lifetime. Given this demanding workload, it’s not surprising the heart can wear down. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease calls for surgical procedures that require medical devices strong and durable enough to withstand stress, yet flexible and small enough to navigate through tortuous cardiovascular anatomy.

For example, valves and ventricular devices must be durable, stable and resistant to deterioration. Pacing and defibrillation leads need electrical insulation for patient safety and device effectiveness. Plus, guidewires and leads need to be strong yet flexible, with specialized lubricious coatings that make them easy to insert and maneuver inside the body.

DSM’s polyurethanes are clinically proven, having performed in chronic implants for over 20 years. Our materials have been used for years in ventricular assist devices, pacemakers, defibrillators, vascular grafts and central venous catheters.

Bringing knowledge to life

With our proven expertise in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences, DSM is supporting device manufacturers by making biomedical materials that withstand the rigors of the cardiovascular environment while safely interacting with the body over time. Device manufacturers trust our polyurethane materials to be biocompatible as well as biostable. And we can customize our material chemistry, such as changing surfaces to meet precise and challenging customer demands. Also, our extensive experience in chemical science and surface technology can help ensure product integrity – and speed to market.

Our materials are also used in drug delivery systems, such as a drug eluting stent. Our technology enables device manufacturers to control the delivery of medication directly to the vasculature and surrounding tissues for heart failure treatment. Our proprietary bioerodible amino acid-based drug carrier delivers a range of active pharmaceutical agents including preventative blood clotting agents, immunosuppressants and a variety of other drugs – all this while degrading in controlled, biocompatible, natural and nontoxic.

For patients, the benefits include safer, quicker and less invasive procedures, often resulting in shorter recovery time and longer-lasting results. In short, brighter lives and futures for more patients and their families.

Links & Downloads

• DSM cardiovascular and other markets brochure (PDF, 605.40KB)

Page updated on 19 Jul 2012