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Japan's METI program to help cardiac repair project

23 Dec '14

2 min read

Japanese government program launched by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), aimed at promoting collaboration between the medical and industrial fields, has extended its support to a joint project by Osaka medical college, Fukui Warp Knitting Co.Ltd, and Teijin Ltd, to develop a long-lasting regenerative patch for cardiac-repair applications.

The new cardiac patch is expected to combine bio-absorbable and non-bio-absorbable polymers. It will incorporate Teijin’s expertise in polymers and technologies and Fukui Warp Knitting’s world-class technologies for warp knitting, or zigzag knitting along the length of the fabric. The aim is to develop an innovative patch featuring a strong, expansive structure suited to cardiovascular surgeries as determined by Osaka Medical College, according to a press release.

Cardiac patches are widely used to repair heart tissue during cardiovascular operations. The use of biological materials present in existing patches gives safety and handling problems, such as sterilization and preservation, as well as quality deterioration after long use. Current non-absorbable polymers do not achieve the expansion property required for long-term use with beating, growing hearts, resulting in the need for repeated surgeries to replace the patches.

The ongoing goal of METI’s new program is to support advances in the medical device industry by incorporating Japan’s world-class manufacturing technologies to develop innovative new medical devices.

Osaka Medical College, Fukui Warp Knitting, and Teijin contribute to advancement in medical technologies by developing basic materials required in cardiac operation treatment and develop and provide universal medical materials through the integration of research outcomes and Japanese manufacturing technologies.

Teijin is a technology-driven global group offering advanced solutions in the areas of sustainable transportation, information and electronics, safety and protection, environment and energy, and healthcare. Its main fields of operation are high-performance fibres such as aramid, carbon fibres & composites, healthcare, films, resin & plastic processing, polyester fibres, products converting and IT. (GK)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India