BMS Introduces New Weaving Capabilities for Artificial Tendons and Ligaments

Warwick, R.I.-based Biomedical Structures LLC (BMS), developer of biomedical textiles for medical devices and other advanced clinical applications, now provides a new tapered medical textile solution for artificial tendons, ligaments and other orthopedic applications.

BMS already provides tapering and bifurcation capabilities for very fine fabrics, so this new weaving technique will complement existing capabilities. The hope is that this type of weaving will closely imitate natural tendon and ligament performance better than similar products have been able to before. In order to so closely mimic human anatomy, BMS shapes bio-absorbable and permanent fibers by developing precise dimensions and load-bearing performance characteristics within a functional shape that mirrors natural geometries. For tendon and ligament repair applications that require sutured tissue and subsequent re-growth of natural cells to replace the damage, this textile engineering approach has the power to enable a new class of implant solutions.

The company is backing up its new capabilities with its high-precision medical textile research and development and advanced new weaving equipment for synthetic polymers, including fibers such as polyester, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (commonly known as UHMWPE) and poly-L-lactide (commonly known as PLLA). These fibers, in a very fine form, are noted for their strength and flexibility. For artificial tendons and other orthopedic repair applications, this protection against stretch and control of tempered movement is extremely important to successful recovery and sustained performance over time. Recent figures cite nearly 32 million repetitive and traumatic tendon and ligament injuries reported annually, a figure expected to increase as the population ages, and currently available synthetic replacements become limited.

“BMS’ continual investment in cutting-edge equipment designed to enhance our biomedical textile production capabilities has delivered in a transformative way for device engineers looking to the next-generation solution for orthopedic repair,” said BMS CEO Dean Tulumaris. “Medical device OEMs will now be able to create synthetic tendon and ligament repair structures that match human anatomy more closely than ever before. As we marry our expertise in tapering very fine fibers for cardiovascular applications with deep experience in orthopedic reconstruction and repair device support, we are excited to bring this breakthrough capability to the market.”

The announcement of this new capability comes soon after BMS’s release of the Biofelt absorbable scaffold in January, for use in various applications including those used to make orthopedic devices. Produced from Polyglycolic Acid, PLLA and copolymers such as co-polylactic acid/glycolic acid, Biofelt is a non-woven structure that provides a fibrous matrix platform, enabling natural tissue in-growth in surgical applications, and is manufactured by a carding and needle-punch process.

The scaffold is three-dimensional with a high surface area and void volume designed to promote natural cell adhesion and regeneration. The felt-like material can be specified to absorb into the body from less than 30 days to up to a year, and can be customized in a variety of shapes including flat sheets, discs and tubes.

“Biofelt is a terrific example of how traditional tissue engineering technology and materials can be used in more innovative ways across medical device sectors,” said Tulumaris at the time of release.