Fibre Extrusion Technology Ltd (FET) - Proof of Concept - Novel Process for Suture Manufacture

Fiber Extrusion Technology Ltd (FET) - 概念验证 - 缝合线制造新工艺

• 批准号: 710389
• 金额: $ 12.74万
• 依托单位: FIBRE EXTRUSION TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: GRD Proof of Concept
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2013 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=710389
• 关键词: Fibre; Extrusion; Technology; Ltd; FET

International customers using FET equipment tell us that they are seeking improvements inproduct and process for synthetic absorbable sutures. FET is working separately on improvedproduct properties and now sees an opportunity to address process improvements topotentially deliver mutual benefits to both FET and its customers.The traditional textile braiding and dip coating processes used to produce sutures are slow,labour and energy intensive and have other disadvantages which are compounded when thesuture is made from absorbable polymers, which are notoriously expensive and difficult tohandle.We have ideas for a novel method of manufacture of a new synthetic absorbable suture madefrom multifilament precursor yarns involving a new construction which replaces conventionalbraiding and dip coating processes. The proposed method is designed to simplify themanufacturing process, reducing costs and the risks of in-process degradation.We wish to test the concept of such a new manufacturing method in a Proof of ConceptProject at a cost of £167,163 and have in-house, or can obtain, access to the necessaryexpertise to succeed in such a project, but need financial assistance to avoid cash flowlimitations and complete the work within an 18 month time frame.A proven concept will allow us to further develop and show customers the potential for amore efficient method of manufacture, with an improved carbon footprint.A successful project outcome will deliver IP, which, pursued by further development work tocommercialise for suture applications, could realise some £4m income to FET in the period2019/21 in the form of customised equipment sales, process licensing or know how. There arepotential benefits from spin off uses for the technology in non - medical areas and as anexperimental tool for small scale evaluation of difficult-to process / expensive raw materials.

使用 FET 设备的国际客户告诉我们，他们正在寻求合成可吸收缝线的产品和工艺，而 FET 正在单独致力于改进产品性能，现在看到了解决工艺改进的机会，从而有可能为 FET 及其客户带来互惠互利的改进。用于生产缝线的纺织编织和浸涂工艺速度慢、劳动力和能源密集，并且具有其他缺点，当缝线由可吸收聚合物制成时，这些缺点会变得更加复杂，众所周知，这些聚合物非常昂贵且难以处理。一种由复丝原丝制成的新型合成可吸收缝合线的新制造方法，涉及一种取代传统编织和浸涂工艺的新结构。所提出的方法旨在简化制造过程，降低成本和过程中降解的风险。希望在概念验证项目中测试这种新制造方法的概念，成本为 167,163 英镑，并且拥有内部或可以获得必要的专业知识以在此类项目中取得成功项目，但需要财务援助以避免现金流限制并在 18 个月的时间内完成工作。经过验证的概念将使我们能够进一步开发并向客户展示更高效的制造方法的潜力，同时改善碳足迹。成功项目成果将提供知识产权，通过进一步开发工作将缝合线应用商业化，可以在 2019/21 年期间以定制设备销售、工艺许可或专有技术的形式为 FET 实现约 400 万英镑的收入。受益于该技术在非医疗领域的衍生用途以及作为难以加工/昂贵原材料的小规模评估的实验工具。