DSM Dyneema is first to offer medical grade UHMWPE film24-Feb-10
FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES
Development opportunity with DSM Dyneema presents medical device companies with potential to significantly enhance the performance of cardiovascular devices and improve medical outcomes
URMOND (NL), 24 February, 2010 – DSM Dyneema today announced the availability of development material and enabling technology for the industry’s first medical grade of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Film for cardiovascular implants. Medical-grade UHMWPE Film offers medical device companies an opportunity to significantly enhance the performance of cardiovascular devices such as stent grafts and covered stents for use in various applications. The usage of UHMWPE Film opens up design possibilities which can potentially improve patient outcomes.
DSM Dyneema is the only company worldwide to offer implantable medical-grade UHMWPE Film and is actively seeking to partner with various medical device companies, aiming to enter into development agreements with selected companies in the course of 2010.
The ultra thin properties of the film can help to reduce the size and profile of devices, leading to less invasive procedures, which can reduce patient trauma and risk, as well as shortening recovery time and hospital stays. A superior material for use in various implantable cardiovascular devices, the ultra thin film also can help reduce the size of the cardiovascular device, providing an opportunity to access smaller blood vessels where other devices cannot reach.
“DSM Dyneema together with Sentient created a unique technology which can be used by top medical device companies to develop improved cardiovascular devices,” says Carina Snijder, Business Manager Medical of DSM Dyneema. “By combining our knowledge of UHMWPE Film with Sentient’s know-how of processing film into cardiovascular applications, DSM Dyneema is in a position to provide medical device companies with a unique offering.”
The proprietary production technology allows tailoring of the ultra thin film thickness and film porosity (from 40% up to 85%) as well as pore size (> .05μm). UHMWPE Film is characterized by a high mechanical robustness and smooth surface. It is easy to handle and to combine with other materials and can be produced in single layers with a thickness ranging from 10μm to 120μm or combined in multiple layers. Recent test results have shown that UHMWPE Film has no cytotoxic potential (ISO 10993-5) and meets the requirements of the USP guideline for Class VI Plastics – 70C.
“The use of UHMWPE Film as the basis for the stent-graft technology is a perfect fit,” adds Alvaro Laguna, President of Sentient Technology. “The film is ultra thin, easy to integrate with various metal and textile structures and allows us to make very small tubular structures with unique properties.”
About Sentient
Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, Sentient Engineering & Technology, L.L.C. was founded in 2002 by Alvaro Laguna. The company focuses on the development of unique processing technologies combining different materials and applying those technologies to novel medical devices. Sentient has worked with the DSM UHMWPE Film for several years and has built a competency in processing the film, modifying the film properties and marrying the film with stents as well as other components. Sentient Technology is applicable to both balloon and self-expanding stents and a variety of material platforms. Sentient has also developed composite balloon technology.
About DSM Dyneema
DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ and Dyneema Purity®. Dyneema® and Dyneema Purity® are ultra strong polyethylene fibers that offer maximum strength combined with minimum weight. They are up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema® and Dyneema Purity® float on water and are extremely durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. The applications are therefore more or less unlimited. Dyneema® is an important component in ropes, cables and nets in the fishing, shipping and offshore industries. Dyneema® is also used in safety gloves for the metalworking industry and in fine yarns for applications in sporting goods as well as in bullet resistant armor and clothing for police and military personnel. In addition, Dyneema Purity® is used in medical implant applications. Dyneema® is produced in Heerlen (The Netherlands) and in Greenville, North Carolina (U.S.A.). Dyneema Purity® is produced in Heerlen (The Netherlands). DSM Dyneema is also a partner in a high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) manufacturing joint venture in Japan. Further information on DSM Dyneema is available at www.dyneema.com and www.dyneemapurity.com.
DSM – the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company
DSM creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM’s products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrics and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual sales of almost EUR 8.8 billion and employs some 23,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information on DSM can be found at www.dsm.com. To meet the upcoming needs of the medical and biotech industries, DSM increased its commitment to the medical device industry by the foundation of DSM Biomedical. DSM Biomedical builds on the expertise and strengths of DSM in polymers, coating technology, materials science and life sciences. Its guiding mission is to provide materials-based products and technologies that will enable the replacement, repair, enhancement and ultimately the regeneration of tissue and organ function. DSM’s current biomedical portfolio includes ComfortCoat™ hydrophilic and antimicrobial coating technology, implant solutions (including Dyneema Purity®) and the drug delivery platform Trancerta™. Recently the company acquired PTG, a market leader in the field of biomedical polymers. More information on DSM Biomedical can be found at www.dsmbiomedical.com.
Dyneema®, Dyneema Purity® and Dyneema®, the world's strongest fiber™ are trademark(s) (applications) owned by Royal DSM N.V. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
If you have any questions or requests, please contact:
Jonathan Martinez
DSM Dyneema
Tel.: +31 46 476 6466
E-mail: press.dyneema@dsm.com
