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.

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® 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 have lower thrombogenicity, 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® 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.

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® 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.

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.

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.

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® 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® 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.

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® 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® 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 thrombus formation has been promising.

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.

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.

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.