12.02.14
Freudenberg's novel scaffolene technology has created a solution for positioning drugs exactly where they are needed in the body before they are released in a controlled manner. This unique nonwoven material, made of bioresorbable materials, is opening up new and innovative possibilities in surgical, wound care and regenerative medicine, according to the company. The material is absorbed by the body after the drug is delivered.
"For the patient, this has the advantage that no second surgery is needed to remove the product," explains project leader Denis Reibel. "During production, drugs, enzymes or growth hormones can be incorporated directly into the fabric for later application in surgery, wound healing and regenerative medicine."
In its dry state, scaffolene is flexible and tear-resistant. It even remains stable when wet, retaining its structure and effectively resisting clumping. This means that it can be easily and safely moved into the right place in the body during surgery, for example, to stop bleeding. Thanks to its flexibility, the nonwoven material can also be used in minimally invasive surgery. The fabric can also treat surgical sites, promote healing of open wounds or rebuild a bone after a fracture.
The key to various applications of scaffolene technology lies in the production process. The nonwovens are made of bioresorbable polymers of natural or synthetic origin. The composition of the polymers determines the biological and mechanical properties of the nonwovens, such as their degradation in the body or resistance to tearing. The advantage for the customer is that Freudenberg can use the patented scaffolene technology to customize the various nonwovens following a modular principle to meet specific medical requirements.
Freudenberg began research and development work on the technology in 2007 after a gelatin manufacturer came to the company seeking a nonwoven fabric, made of gelatin material, for medical applications that would dissolve in the body. In response, Freudenberg developed an innovative machine that was able to produce bioresorbable nonwovens at low temperatures using a rotary spinning process. The gentle spinning rotor technology enables sensitive raw materials like gelatin to be processed under cleanroom conditions which meet the strict requirements for medical products. This guarantees the customer reliability, as well as the consistent and safe quality of the medical nonwovens.
"For the patient, this has the advantage that no second surgery is needed to remove the product," explains project leader Denis Reibel. "During production, drugs, enzymes or growth hormones can be incorporated directly into the fabric for later application in surgery, wound healing and regenerative medicine."
In its dry state, scaffolene is flexible and tear-resistant. It even remains stable when wet, retaining its structure and effectively resisting clumping. This means that it can be easily and safely moved into the right place in the body during surgery, for example, to stop bleeding. Thanks to its flexibility, the nonwoven material can also be used in minimally invasive surgery. The fabric can also treat surgical sites, promote healing of open wounds or rebuild a bone after a fracture.
The key to various applications of scaffolene technology lies in the production process. The nonwovens are made of bioresorbable polymers of natural or synthetic origin. The composition of the polymers determines the biological and mechanical properties of the nonwovens, such as their degradation in the body or resistance to tearing. The advantage for the customer is that Freudenberg can use the patented scaffolene technology to customize the various nonwovens following a modular principle to meet specific medical requirements.
Freudenberg began research and development work on the technology in 2007 after a gelatin manufacturer came to the company seeking a nonwoven fabric, made of gelatin material, for medical applications that would dissolve in the body. In response, Freudenberg developed an innovative machine that was able to produce bioresorbable nonwovens at low temperatures using a rotary spinning process. The gentle spinning rotor technology enables sensitive raw materials like gelatin to be processed under cleanroom conditions which meet the strict requirements for medical products. This guarantees the customer reliability, as well as the consistent and safe quality of the medical nonwovens.