Full-service medical textiles manufacturer Cortland Biomedical can now add processing radiopaque fibers to its list of services, which include a full spectrum of global engineering, design, and manufacturing capabilities. Incorporating radiopaque fibers into diagnostic and interventional medical devices allows the items to become clearly visible under fluoroscopy while maintaining the mechanical properties desired for the specific application. This improved visibility, including better contrast and sharpness of the image, allows surgeons to optimally position the device or implant, the company shared in a news release.

The radiopaque fibers can be incorporated into textile-based implants, allowing surgeons to view the position of the implant under fluoroscopy months or even years after surgical placement. Such textiles create lower-profile and more flexible medical devices that could make surgical procedures less invasive. The company provides textiles for a variety of applications including cardiovascular, robotic surgery, sports medicine, orthopedics, neurovascular, sutures and wound closure, general surgery, and endoscopy.

“We’re always aiming to break down the barriers of what’s traditionally been possible when it comes to engineering textile structures,” said John Greco, VP sales, Cortland Biomedical, in the release. “We’re pleased to now be able to work with radiopaque fibers, which will give our customers more choice when it comes to material selection and allow them to create devices that can be seen more clearly under fluoroscopy without the need for additional markers.”

Cortland Biomedical boasts an extensive range of knitting, weaving, and braiding capabilities. This enables them to work with customers to develop complex, customized textile structures with highly tailored mechanical properties. Any of these methods can be applied to processing radiopaque fibers, which are currently available in PET and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), according to the company.

This past summer Cortland Biomedical added to its range of textile post-processing capabilities, which now include: