Press release

Exton PA, US, 15 Oct 2015 16:00 CEST

DSM, a global leader in biomedical materials science and regenerative medicine, today announced that it will highlight developments in fiber visualization and low-profile characteristics of its Dyneema Purity^® fiber for use in the design of medical devices at the 7^th International UHMWPE Meeting on 22 and 23 October in Philadelphia (PA), United States.

UHMWPE fibers enable the creation of very strong medical textiles. In general, UHMWPE fibers are white. At the meeting, DSM will detail developments of the Dyneema Purity portfolio that include colored medical-grade UHMWPE fibers. These are desirable as they allow for multiple suture designs, assisting the surgeon in differentiating sutures when there are multiple sutures used during a procedure. The DSM portfolio also includes a yellow radiopaque Dyneema Purity fiber. Standard UHMWPE fibers are radiolucent, inhibiting adequate postoperative radiological assessment. A radiopaque UHMWPE fiber like Dyneema Purity Radiopaque fiber enables such assessment and can potentially replace metal wire in the design of trauma or spine applications.

“Designed for human use, our medical-grade Dyneema Purity fiber has the potential to aid in therapeutic repairs that last longer, create stronger mechanical performance, and increase comfort thereby contributing to improved quality of life for patients,” said Carola Hansen, Director of Biomedical Polyethylenes, DSM Biomedical. “The data to be presented demonstrate our commitment to advancing our Dyneema Purity fibers, which already offer medical device manufacturers freedom of design thanks to their high strength, low-profile, superior abrasion resistance and flexibility.”

DSM will also present on the use of the low-profile Dyneema Purity fibers in the design of next generation heart valves to bridge the gap between two main treatment approaches (mechanical vs biological). Mechanical valves have lifelong durability, but also require lifelong anti-coagulant therapy. Biological valves, made from bovine or porcine tissue, can be implanted via minimally invasive surgery and do not require extensive medicated therapy. Typically, they need to be replaced within seven to fifteen years. Therefore, there is a need to develop a new heart valve made from alternative materials, bringing together biocompatibility and minimally-invasive procedures with long-lasting results. Low-profile UHMWPE fibers, like Dyneema Purity 10 dtex fiber, enable the creation of minimal profile structures without compromising on high strength, high flex fatigue resistance, low elongation, and tear resistant properties.

DSM and its development partners will present at the 7th International UHMWPE Meeting on:

• Advances in Medical-Grade UHMWPE Fiber Development: Additives for Visualization
• Woven UHMWPE fibers for use in the design of cardiovascular applications
• Biocompatibility Assessment of HALS Stabilized Highly Cross-linked UHMWPE

Maastricht University Medical Center will present a mechanical assessment on use of Dyneema Purity radiopaque fibers in one of their treatment concepts.

For more information about DSM’s Dyneema Purity fiber, please visit: Dyneema Purity fiber.