Zeus Bioweb™ Composites

Zeus Bioweb™ is an advanced technology developed by electrospinning PTFE into polymeric fibers with very small diameters, spanning from nano- to microscale. Together, these electrospun filaments create materials with a wide range of fabric and fiber properties.

One example of this is the increased dimensional stability achieved through a wide range of temperatures when compared to conventional ePTFE. Since the Bioweb™ is biocompatible, it is more suitable for varied medical applications, and other general industrial applications.

Electrospinning produces products that have high surface-to-weight and volume ratios and, at the same time, maintains excellent mechanical properties. Bioweb™ is a non-woven composite and has a microporous nature similar to expanded PTFE (ePTFE). The interesting part is that Bioweb™ achieves this microporous nature without the fibrils and nodes associated with ePTFE.

Consequently, Bioweb™ can achieve thinner profiles than ePTFE, making it extremely suitable for small vasculatures. This material has low chemical reactivity, which means that it will not degrade metal stent frameworks. PTFE has long been used in the medical field and is easily incorporated into implantable applications.

Zeus can create electrospin membrane/sheet, develop coatings for 3D substrates in a wide range of shapes and sizesand devise encapsulation technology. Moreover, it is possible to additionally modify coverings and membranes to boost performance specific to the application.

Zeus, the leader in the development and production of medical device components, offers critical intellectual and physical resources required to bring innovative technologies to the market.

Bioweb™ is not only available as a stent covering but is also provided license-free through a technology transfer agreement for users to cover their own stents or other implantable devices.

The research department at Zeus focuses on assembly solutions, quality prototype development, reviewand analysis. The company assists at each stage of the technology transfer and ensures the success of the next project.

Applications

Implantable structures in the body —Bioweb™’s microporous surface is perfect for use within the body, be it for coating stent coverings, membranesor substrates.

Stent encapsulation capability —As a stent covering, Bioweb™ composites enable safe and non-inflammatory implantation of these devices to influence successful treatments in many different endovascular scenarios.

Scaffolding —The high surface-to-weight ratio of Bioweb™ makes it specifically adapted for tissue scaffolding thanks to its extra-large interface with the surrounding biological environment.

Key Properties

Biocompatibility —Since Bioweb™ is non-toxic, it can safely exist in the body.

Continuous Membrane or Sheet —The non-woven product, Bioweb™, can be specially formed into membranes or sheets, enabling a wide range of additional uses.

Excellent Material Properties —Since Bioweb™ uses PTFE, the electrospun PTFE retains all the highly useful properties of this fluoropolymer, which is known for including biocompatibility as well as ETO and autoclave sterilization compatibility.

Low Chemical Reactivity —The minimal chemical reactivity of Bioweb™ means that this material will not affect the metal stent framework.

Low-Temperature Encapsulation —Bioweb™ stent encapsulations can be carried out at relatively low temperatureswhich prevent damage to the stent framework.

Microporous —The very small fiber diameter resulting from Zeus’ electrospinning process creates a material that also has very small (1–4 μm typical) pore sizes, producing tiny frameworks suitable for wound coverings or implantation.

High Surface-to-Weight Ratio —Bioweb’s™ high surface-to-weight ratio combined with the tight pore sizes of the electrospun PTFE renders this material superior to other fibers for tissue in-growth. In addition, the high surface-to-weight ratio produces a very large interface between the Bioweb™ and the surrounding environment when compared to similar or conventional biocompatible products. The increased interface enables greater permeation of chemical signals and other molecules as a wound covering or implantable device.