21 Nov Frequently Asked Questions for Biomedical Textile Design and Development
At Cortland Biomedical, we pride ourselves on being a true partner to our medical device OEM customers. This means collaborating early in the product conception and design process to thoroughly understand product needs, objectives, and challenges. By doing this, we provide expert guidance on the biomedical textile materials and configurations that will achieve the best result — not only for our partners, but also for their end-user patients.
Our customers can always count on our biomedical textile engineering experts to steer them in the right direction, and we are ready and willing to answer any questions to help customers arrive at a design direction that they are comfortable with.
Below are some common questions that customers may ask:
What types of materials are commonly used in biomedical textiles, and how are these materials selected?
Biomedical textiles use materials like PET (polyethylene terephthalate), UHMWPE, aramids, and resorbable materials, selected based on their strength, compatibility with the body, and intended application.
What are the advantages of customizing biomedical textiles, and in what medical applications does customization play a crucial role?
Customizing biomedical textiles offers the advantage of tailoring products to specific medical needs. This is particularly important in applications where one-size-fits-all solutions may not suffice. Customization is crucial in orthopedics, tissue regeneration, cardiovascular applications, and many other surgical procedures, ensuring that the textiles meet the unique requirements of each medical application for optimal patient outcomes.
What are the key advantages of warp knitting for biomedical textiles, and how does it impact the design of fabrics?
For fabrics that require high burst strength and are highly conformable, warp knitting allows for greater flexibility in the design of the fabric. Warp knitting also offers the ability to control pore size and density, which is particularly important when considering the need to support high cell in-growth potential within the body. These specific properties and controllable structures allow for the tailored creation of fabrics which adhere to required performance characteristics for advanced medical devices.
Can you walk us through the low-density braiding process, and in what applications is it best suited?
Low-density braiding involves yarn preparation, winding, braiding, and rewinding. It’s ideal for sutures, tethers, cords, and pull wires in minimally invasive surgeries and robotics due to its flexibility and durability.
How does tension control enable you to work with a diverse range of materials, from fine performance fibers to large diameter wires, and why is this important for biomedical textiles?
Tension control is vital for handling various materials. Individually tensioning yarns allows for the use of a wide range of materials, ensuring mechanical properties of the final textile, and increasing uniformity of the textile’s surface which is critical for biomedical textiles.
Can you discuss the significance of Cortland Biomedical’s partnerships with global leaders in weaving equipment design and manufacture?
Partnerships with weaving equipment manufacturers enable Cortland Biomedical to be nimble and responsive to customer needs, helping to solve innovative challenges and meet specialized requirements in the medical device industry.
What sets Cortland Biomedical’s braiding capabilities apart from other companies, and how do they enhance product customization for medical applications?
Cortland Biomedical’s variation braiding capabilities and advanced machinery offer greater freedom for customization, creating robust or delicate braids using various materials, and facilitating innovative breakthroughs in surgical applications.
In what scenarios would you recommend 3D Braiding to a prospective customer, and how does it differ from traditional braiding?
3D Braiding is recommended for scenarios where a customized braid shape, such as one that can be looped around a member and anchored, is required. It differs from traditional braiding by offering unique and fully customizable structures.
What are the benefits of having machines with jacquard patterning for weaving, and how does this technology enhance the design of biomedical textiles?
Jacquard patterning provides unlimited design possibilities for woven structures, making it ideal for complex biomedical textile designs with high-density patterns, unique woven shapes, and fine materials, saving time and materials during prototyping.
Can you tell us about the advantages of Cortland Biomedical’s fully electronic weave cycle in the context of textile production?
Cortland Biomedical’s fully electronic weave cycle enhances textile production by providing flexibility and speed in the design phase. It allows for quick pattern changes, making it easier to prototype and adjust fabric structures, ultimately saving time and materials during the development process.
What types of products or surgical applications are woven textiles best suited for, and what specific characteristics make them ideal for these applications?
Woven textiles excel in applications such as vascular grafts, abdominal aortic aneurism grafts, and orthopedic soft tissue repair. Their combination of high strength and flexibility is crucial in these scenarios, as they can withstand the rigors of medical procedures and adapt to various surgical needs.
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Have questions? Let’s chat today about how Cortland Biomedical can meet your needs! Contact us.