Teleflex Medical OEM, maker of custom sutures and performance fibers, has received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a new high-strength suture. The suture combines a proprietary coreless braid design with fibers of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and the technology is also applicable to UHMWPE material co-braided with colored fibers to create greater visibility and contrast during surgical procedures.

“Teleflex Medical OEM continues to pursue innovations in performance fibers and specialty sutures,” said Richard Gallagher, global director of research, development and engineering for Teleflex Medical OEM.

The suture has been marketed under the name Force Fiber since 2004. Its physical properties and handling characteristics have made it a popular choice for arthroscopic repairs, the company claims. The suture is said to be flexible, nonabrasive, and silken in texture that is gentle on both biologic tissue and surgical gloves. When tied, the coreless braid is designed to flatten up in itself to provide a low knot profile that resists slippage and offers knot security.

The Force Fiber portfolio includes a range of U.S. Pharmacopeia-defined sizes, patterns such as cross and stripe, and a selection of solids and multi-colored sutures, including blue, white, green, white/blue, green/white, white/black and white/green.

Teleflex Medical OEM has private label agreements with orthopedic medical device manufacturers to market Force Fiber suture for orthopedic applications. In addition, Force Fiber suture is used as a component in numerous orthopedic medical devices. Teleflex Inc. recently divested of its OEM orthopedics business to Tecomet.

Teleflex Medical OEM is a subsidiary of Teleflex Inc., and is headquartered in Kenosha, Wis. The performance fibers business is located in Mansfield, Mass.

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