WARWICK, R.I. — March 6, 2012 — Biomedical Structures LLC (BMS), a developer of biomedical textiles
for medical devices and other advanced clinical applications, today announced new capabilities for
the high-precision development and manufacturing of vascular grafts.
With the ability to taper very fine fabrics, BMS creates straight and bifurcated tubes for
woven grafts supporting endovascular stent systems designed to prevent abdominal aortic aneurysm
rupture, as well as for other percutaneous coronary intervention stent procedures and peripheral
vascular grafts throughout the extremities. Tapered tubes more naturally match human anatomy and
allow device designers to marry specific dimensions to aortic geometries to more closely mimic
functional shape.
BMS enables this device design with new weaving equipment for very fine polyester, UHMWPE and
other fibers. Fine-woven techniques enable strength and flexibility while limiting stretch, which
allows for tempered movement and makes an ideal solution for vascular grafts alongside the heart
and throughout the body. According to a 2011 report, the peripheral vascular device market is
expected to grow to more than $7.1 billion by 2018, and will be fueled in part by the sale of stent
grafts. The market for stent grafts itself, which includes abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracic
aortic aneurysm stent grafts, is estimated to almost double in value.
“BMS strives to consistently deliver on our commitment to expanding our medical textile
engineering capabilities for device OEMs looking to more precise, tailored solutions,” said BMS CEO
Dean Tulumaris. “Now device OEMs will be able to utilize vascular grafts with a very specific
geometry for successful stent support and more lifelike properties. We will continue to enhance our
capacity to handle very fine bio-absorbable and permanent fibers and shape them to match human
anatomy as closely as possible within the body.”
BMS offers expertise in knitting, braiding, weaving, nonwovens, and composites, and utilizes
a broad offering of biocompatible absorbable and non-absorbable materials in devices, drug delivery
and surgical systems for orthopedic, cardiovascular, bariatric, cosmetic and veterinary medicine
applications.
Posted on March 6, 2012
Source: Biomedical Structures
