Originally Published MPMNNovember 2003

INDUSTRY NEWS

Reinforcement Material Receives Innovation Award

Extensive changes and improvements to the Seamguard bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement material earned W. L. Gore (Flagstaff, AZ; www.goremedical.com)the Innovation of the Year award. Given by the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons(SLS) at its congress and expo in September, the award recognizes the product's ability to retain measurable strength for 30 days postprocedure before completely resorbing within six months.

"This product used to be made from Gore-Tex material, which was permanent, thick, and hard to usewith staples," says Fred Walburn, W. L. Gore's product specialist. "If you ask surgeons what they want, they will say that they want something that performs the function and then disappears when the job is done. So that's what we did. The product now resorbs instead of staying permanent." 

The 0.25-mm-thick material contains a bioabsorbable membrane formed into a sleeve with the use of a polyester braided suture. Its minimal profile fits nearly anytrocar, and a pull-cord deployment keeps it firmly in place until the tissue manipulation is complete. Used in surgical procedures, the material reinforces staple lines on the lung, stomach, and bowel or mesentery in tissue transections or resections. 

The product is composed of bioabsorbable polymers used in sutures, surgical meshes, and implantable devices. Made from synthetic material, Seamguard does not carry the risk of animal-sourcecontamination.. 

Melody Lee

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