EXTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DSM, a global leader in biomedical materials science and regenerative medicine, announced today the launch of its Dyneema Purity® Radiopaque fiber, the only radiopaque ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE) medical fiber in the world. The fiber is the newest addition to DSM’s medical Dyneema Purity® fiber portfolio.
Dyneema Purity® Radiopaque fiber is designed to support the development of medical devices for use in orthopedic trauma. The fiber contains a radiopacifier, which makes it the only UHMWPE fiber currently available that is visible in x-ray images. This feature helps surgeons with medical device and implant visualization both during and after surgical interventions.
The fiber will initially be used as a replacement for metal surgical cables that are used in procedures to treat bone fractures. The fiber is 15 times stronger than steel but maintains high pliability and increased flexibility, which may help lower the risk of bone damage. Steel does not conform well to the natural contours of the human body. A small contact point between the bone and metal wire leads to high levels of pressure in a concentrated area during surgery. On the other hand, UHMWPE fibers conform directly to complex bone anatomy, which increases surface contact and spreads force more evenly, reducing the risk of the cable cutting into the bone. The fiber is biocompatible and chemically inert, which can help reduce tissue inflammation, irritation and complications associated with metal allergies. All of these factors can increase patient comfort and promote shorter healing times.
UHMWPE fiber has additional advantages for cable construction. If a steel cable is wrapped around portions of a bone that require repairs, both ends of the cables must be guided through a tensioning device. Once fixation is complete, no incremental adjustments are possible and a re-adjustment can only be accomplished by cutting the cable and starting all over again. In contrast, a cable construction made from UHMWPE fiber promotes more flexibility and allows for re-tensioning after primary fixation without the need to start from scratch.
“With its impressive durability, flexibility and X-ray visibility, our Dyneema Purity® Radiopaque fiber gives device manufacturers the opportunity to use UHMWPE fiber in new applications,” said Carola Hansen, Director of Biomedical Polyethylenes, DSM Biomedical. “Creating quality and innovative materials that help patients and surgeons is of the utmost importance to DSM.”
“As an orthopedic surgeon, I have firsthand knowledge of the current challenges presented by traditional, steel cable solutions,” said Professor Dr. Lodewijk van Rhijn, head of the department of orthopaedic surgery at the University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands. “DSM’s new Dyneema Purity® Radiopaque fiber has high flexibility which has the potential to reduce the chance of patients suffering from neurological damage. Further, the radiopacity would allow me to check instrumentation stability using x-ray imaging.”
Dyneema Purity® Radiopaque fiber is available worldwide.
For more information about DSM’s Dyneema Purity® Radiopaque fiber please visit: Dyneema Purity® Radiopaque fiber.
DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders simultaneously. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 24,500 employees deliver annual net sales of around €10 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.
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Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM’s future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. DSM has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is leading.
Dyneema Purity® is a registered trademark of DSM.