Biomedical Structures (BMS), a developer of biomedical textiles for medical devices and other advanced clinical applications, has announced new capabilities for the high-precision development and manufacturing of vascular grafts.

With the ability to taper very fine fabrics, BMS creates straight and bifurcated tubes for woven grafts supporting endovascular stent systems designed to prevent abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture, as well as for other percutaneous coronary intervention stent procedures and peripheral vascular grafts throughout the extremities. Tapered tubes more naturally match human anatomy and allow device designers to marry specific dimensions to aortic geometries to more closely mimic functional shape.

BMS says it enables this device design with new weaving equipment for very fine polyester, UHMWPE and other fibres. Fine-woven techniques enable strength and flexibility while limiting stretch, which allows for tempered movement and makes an ideal solution for vascular grafts alongside the heart and throughout the body.

According to a 2011 report, BMS says, the peripheral vascular device market is expected to grow to more than $7.1 billion by 2018, and will be fuelled in part by the sale of stent grafts. The market for stent grafts itself, which includes abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracic aortic aneurysm stent grafts, is estimated to almost double in value.

"BMS strives to consistently deliver on our commitment to expanding our medical textile engineering capabilities for device OEMs looking to more precise, tailored solutions," said BMS CEO Dean Tulumaris.

"Now device OEMs will be able to utilize vascular grafts with a very specific geometry for successful stent support and more lifelike properties. We will continue to enhance our capacity to handle very fine bio-absorbable and permanent fibres and shape them to match human anatomy as closely as possible within the body."

BMS offers expertise in knitting, braiding, weaving, nonwovens, and composites, and utilizes a broad offering of biocompatible absorbable and non-absorbable materials in devices, drug delivery and surgical systems for orthopaedic, cardiovascular, bariatric, cosmetic and veterinary medicine applications.