23 Sep The Fabric of Innovation: How Advanced Biomedical Textiles Are Shaping Next-Gen Medical Devices

In a recent episode of the DeviceTalks Weekly podcast, Cortland Biomedical Textile Engineer Michelle Lishner peeled back the layers on how textiles are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the medical device industry. She shared how we partner with medical device OEMs, moving beyond simply being a supplier to become a true engineering and manufacturing partner.

In the episode, Lishner dives into the unique history of Cortland Biomedical, which has ties to production of sutures during World War II and since spun into industrial and medical braiding businesses. Today, we leverage expertise in advanced braiding, knitting, and weaving to create custom, next-generation solutions for a wide array of surgical applications.

Why Biomedical Textiles are Driving Medical Device Innovation

While some people might not immediately think of textiles for medical implants, Lishner explains why they’re revolutionizing the industry. The core benefits include:

• Customizability: Textiles can be engineered from the ground up, with everything from the raw material to the pore size tailored to a specific application or tissue response.
• Performance: They can be designed to be strong yet flexible, with a low profile that’s ideal for minimally invasive procedures.
• Advanced Materials: The possibilities are vast, with materials ranging from high-strength polyethylene to novel resorbable fibers and even radio-opaque options that are visible under fluoroscopy.

Lishner also highlights how our unique approach streamlines the development process, accelerates timelines, and simplifies the path to market for our OEM partners.

The Future of Orthopedics

The podcast episode also touches on a key focus area for Cortland Biomedical: orthopedics and sports medicine. Lishner discusses how advanced textile solutions are enabling breakthroughs in critical areas like ACL, rotator cuff, and tendon/ligament repair. She shares how our recent expansion into new braiding capabilities is directly addressing the needs of orthopedic companies by creating specialized sutures that improve load distribution and streamline delivery.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone in the medical device field who wants to understand how a company’s agility, curiosity, and credibility can help drive innovation and improve patient outcomes.

To hear the full story and learn more about the world of biomedical textiles, listen to the complete interview here.