Biomaterials for stents, closure devices, tubing and catheters
Innovative Biomaterials for Cardiovascular Applications such as Catheters and Stents
Polymer-based biomaterials for use in cardiovascular applications, changing standards for medical technology with outstanding biocompatibility and biostability
Evonik is a leading producer of biomaterials for cardiovascular applications, providing outstanding biocompatibility and biostability. Its products are used in a variety of medical devices, including catheters, closure devices, drug-eluting stents, occluders, stents, and tubing, valves, and connectors.
Evonik’s biomaterials for cardiovascular applications offer high-quality customized solutions for various devices and implants that improve the health and quality of life of patients. Their properties include biocompatibility, mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and controlled degradation and they also enable innovative and company-specific designs that meet the needs and challenges of each application.
Evonik's ENDEXO® additive technology has the potential to be used in a variety of applications in the cardiovascular area. Its surface modification technology can reduce thrombus formation, bacterial adhesion, and biofouling in catheters, stents, and other medical devices.
RESOMER® biomaterials are also suitable for several cardiovascular applications, including bioresorbable stents while VESTAMID® is the material of choice for tubing.
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Catheters are thin tubes that are inserted into the body to deliver fluids, drugs, or devices. They are used for various purposes, such as angioplasty, ablation, or electrophysiology. Catheters need to be flexible, durable, biocompatible, and resistant to abrasion.
VESTAMID® thermoplastic elastomers for catheter applications
Unfilled VESTAMID® Care ML grades are the materials of choice for catheters and tubing. These materials meet even the most challenging requirements in applications such as angioplasty balloon catheters. These are thermoplastic elastomers that combine the properties of rubber and plastic. They have excellent flexibility, toughness, and chemical resistance.
VESTAMID® Care polyamides are available in different grades, depending on the desired hardness, transparency, and radiopacity. They can be used for various components of catheters, such as shafts, tips, balloons, or coatings.
Endexo® surface modification technology for catheter applications
Endexo® is a proprietary additive technology that enhances the biocompatibility of medical devices that come into contact with blood, tissue or other biological fluids. The low molecular weight fluoro-oligomers used in Endexo® are incorporated during the device manufacturing process and migrate to within nanometers of the surface. By suppressing procoagulant protein conformation, decreasing platelet adhesion and inhibiting platelet activation, the Endexo® technology reduces the risk of thrombotic events. It also suppresses bacteria adhesion and biofilm formation to reduce infection risk.
One of the main applications of Endexo® is in catheters for cardiovascular procedures, such as angioplasty, stenting, and ablation. Catheters using Endexo® have lower friction coefficients, which means they can be inserted and navigated more easily through the blood vessels. They also lower the risk of thrombosis, which means they reduce the risk of blood clots and embolisms that can cause serious complications, such as stroke, heart attack, and infection. Catheters using Endexo® technology have been shown to reduce the need for anticoagulant drugs, which can have adverse effects on patients.
Closure devices are used to seal punctures or incisions after a catheterization procedure. They help to reduce bleeding, infection, and recovery time. Closure devices can be mechanical, suture-based, or bioabsorbable.
VESTAKEEP® PEEK polyether ether ketone molding materials for closure device applications
Evonik is working with US-based startup CircumFix Solutions to develop a new sternal closure device to improve patient recovery after open chest surgery. Evonik is providing implant grade VESTAKEEP® PEEK polymers for use in the closure device. The material is biocompatible - not harmful or toxic to living tissue – and bioinert, so it doesn’t initiate a response from the body. These properties, as well as being hydrophobic, meaning to repel water, significantly reduce the chance of infection. Being made from PEEK polymer means that the device is transparent to x-rays and therefore doesn’t interfere with post-surgical diagnostics.
RESOMER® bioresorbable polymers for closure device applications
RESOMER® is well-suited for use in cardiovascular applications such as closure devices due to its customizable, biodegradable nature. With unique resorable properties, RESOMER® biomaterials are designed to enhance device performance and accelerate patient healing.
Drug-eluting stents are tubes that are implanted into narrowed or blocked arteries to restore blood flow. They release drugs that prevent restenosis (re-narrowing) of the artery. Drug-eluting stents need to have high radial strength, biocompatibility, and controlled drug release.
RESOMER® bioresorbable polymers for drug eluting stents
Evonik's innovative RESOMER® portfolio of biomaterials have potential applications in drug eluting stents, due to their customizable, resorbable properties. RESOMER® offer new possibilities in this field to improve patient outcomes.
VESTAKEEP® PEEK polyether ether ketone molding materials for drug eluting stent applications
Evonik offers VESTAKEEP® PEEK for drug-eluting stent applications. This high-performance polymer has outstanding mechanical properties, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. It is also biocompatible and radiolucent.
VESTAKEEP® PEEK can be used to make the stent framework or the drug delivery matrix. It can be coated with drugs or bioactive agents that modulate the biological response of the artery wall. It can also be blended with other polymers or additives to adjust the drug release profile.
VECOLLAN® recombinant & non-animal derived collagen for drug-eluting stent applications
When it comes to drug-eluting stents, the potential applications of VECOLLAN® are significant. The material's ability to release drugs in a controlled manner can help prevent restenosis and other complications associated with stent implantation. Additionally, VECOLLAN®'s biocompatibility and ability to promote tissue growth can help reduce the risk of inflammation and other adverse reactions. With further research and development, Vecollan could become a key component in the next generation of drug-eluting stents, improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for repeat procedures.
ENDEXO® surface modification technology for drug-eluting stent applications
Endexo® has shown potential in reducing thrombosis and blood clotting in medical devices such as drug-eluting stents. The material's unique chemical structure can help prevent the adhesion of blood cells and proteins to the surface of the device, reducing the risk of blockages and complications. Endexo® has already been incorporated into several medical devices, and has shown promising results in reducing thrombus formation.
Stents are metal mesh tubes that are implanted into narrowed or blocked arteries to restore blood flow. They are used to treat coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease. Stents need to have high radial strength, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance.
RESOMER® bioresorbable polymers for drug eluting stents
RESOMER® biomaterials can be used in vascular stent applications due to their biocompatibility, customization, and biodegradability. Crucially, this next-generation biomaterial has resorbable properies of varying degradation times that offers enhaced treatment options.
VESTAKEEP® PEEK polyether ether ketone molding materials for stent applications
Evonik offers VESTAKEEP® PEEK for stent applications. This is a high-performance polymer can be used to make the stent framework or the coating layer. It can be processed by laser cutting, injection molding, or extrusion. It can also be modified by surface treatments or additives to improve its performance.
VECOLLAN® recombinant & non-animal derived collagen for stent applications
VECOLLAN® is a recombinant collagen that is produced by a patented fermentation process using yeast cells. It is a biocompatible, biodegradable, and bioactive biomaterial that can be used for various medical applications.
Evonik offers VECOLLAN® to create stents that are flexible, durable, and resistant to calcification. VECOLLAN® stents can improve blood flow and prevent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease.
ENDEXO® low molecular weight additives for passive surface modification of stents
Endexo® has demonstrated its potential in mitigating thrombosis and blood clotting in various medical devices, including stents. The material's exceptional chemical structure can prevent the attachment of blood cells and proteins to the device's surface, thereby reducing the likelihood of blockages and complications. Endexo® has already been integrated into multiple medical devices, and its effectiveness in reducing thrombosis.
Occluders are devices that are used to close defects or holes in the heart or blood vessels and are used to treat congenital heart diseases. Occluders need to have good biocompatibility, shape memory, and sealing ability.
VECOLLAN® recombinant & non-animal derived collagen for occluder applications
Evonik offers VECOLLAN® Collagen for occluder applications. This is a collagen-based biomaterial with excellent biocompatibility, hemostatic (blood-clotting) properties, and tissue integration.
VECOLLAN® Collagen can be used to make occluder patches or membranes that cover the defect area and promote tissue regeneration. It can also be combined with other materials, such as metals or polymers, to form composite occluders.
Tubings, valves, and connectors are components that are used to connect various devices or systems in cardiovascular applications. They are used for fluid transfer, pressure regulation, or flow control. They need to have good biocompatibility, chemical resistance, and durability.
VESTAMID® polyamide resins for tubing, valve and connector applications
Evonik offers VESTAMID® Care polyamides for tubing, valve, and connector applications. These are thermoplastic elastomers that combine the properties of rubber and plastic.
VESTAMID® Care polyamides are available in different grades, depending on the desired hardness, transparency, and radiopacity. They can be used for various components of tubings, valves, and connectors, such as lumens, housings, or seals. They are also compatible with various sterilization methods.
With our expertise in biomaterials and commitment to innovation, Evonik is transforming the cardiovascular market by improving medical device safety, biocompatibility, and performance. The company's dedication to innovation and technical expertise guarantees that it will continue to offer state-of-the-art solutions for cardiovascular applications. Evonik’s materials can also fill unmet needs in other areas relevant for the cardiovascular therapeutic area, such as Type-2 Diabetes and vascular closure devices.
As a leading designer for polymer-based biomaterials with a broad portfolio of products, technologies and services, Evonik has served to many of the world’s largest and most innovative medical device companies for more than 30 years. Rooted in science, driven by continuous innovation, and relentlessly committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we empower our customers to accelerate time-to-market for new medical technologies that create life beyond limits.