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

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合线的产品和工艺的改进。FET正在单独致力于改善产品性能，现在看到了解决工艺改进的机会，从而为FET及其客户带来互惠互利。传统的纺织编织和浸渍涂层工艺用于生产缝合线，速度慢，劳动力和能源密集型，并且有其他缺点，当缝合线是由可吸收聚合物制成时，这些缺点是众所周知的昂贵和难以操作的。我们有一个新的方法来制造一种新的合成可吸收缝合线，该方法由复丝原丝纱线制成，涉及一种新的结构，取代了传统的编织和浸渍涂层工艺。建议的方法旨在简化制造过程，降低成本和过程中降级的风险。我们希望在成本为GB 167,163的概念验证项目中测试这种新制造方法的概念。我们希望在内部或能够获得必要的专业知识，以在这样的项目中取得成功，但需要资金援助，以避免现金流限制，并在18个月的时间框架内完成工作。经过验证的概念将允许我们进一步开发和向客户展示更有效的制造方法的潜力，以及改进的碳足迹。成功的项目成果将提供IP，通过进一步开发用于缝合应用的商业化工作，在2019/21年度期间，可以通过定制设备销售、工艺许可或技术诀窍的形式为FET实现约400万GB的收入。将这项技术用于非医疗领域以及作为小规模评估难以加工/昂贵的原材料的实验工具，可能会带来好处。

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.