Radiopacity in Medical Devices
Temporary or permanent implants often contain a radiopacifier, which is a material with a higher electron density contrast compared to the surrounding material so that it absorbs X-ray energy. In an X-ray, a radiopacifier appears as a bright section, as shown in the catheter above (the internal wire is a radiopacifier). Radiopacifiers are often made […]
Hydrogel Skin Model
Synthetic tissue constructs have been around since the 1970’s, when Dr.’s Yannas and Burke created an artificial skin from collagen and silicone rubber. This membrane, termed Silastic, was designed to mimic the properties of skin, to help generate new skin in burn victims. Researchers from the Medical School Hannover (Germany) are trying to replicate human […]
Highly Crosslinked UHMWPE Available for License
Cambridge Polymer Group and Massachusetts General Hospital have co-developed novel, highly crosslinked ultra high molecular weight polyethylenes that incorporate vitamin E and are suitable for hip, knee, shoulder and spine arthroplasty applications. These technologies, generically termed CIMA, E-CIMA and Reservoir Vitamin E, are available for license. E-CIMA E-CIMA is a formulation containing Vitamin E throughout […]
Annual Meeting of the Orthopedic Research Society
CPG will have an exhibit at the upcoming annual meeting of the Orthopedic Research Society in San Francisco, CA, from February 4th to February 7th. This conference brings researchers, medical device manufacturers, surgeons, and regulatory agency representatives together to discuss the latest technologies, practices, and clinical outcomes in the area of orthopedic surgery, including hip, […]
Synthetic Tissue Models
Cambridge Polymer Group is now partnered with Pulse Anatomy to produce custom anatomy models made from our patented materials for use in clinical device development and professional education. Pulse replicates the anatomy using digital data as a starting point for the process of printing of rapid prototyped parts, creating molds and producing castings. Pulse’s team […]
Artificial joint implants of metal and plastic
Increased Data Collection in Medical Devices
The U.S. Senate has introduced a bill that allows the FDA to require medical device companies to collect and track data on the clinical performance of their marketed devices, such as hip and knee replacements. This action is in part due to the on-going reported issues of metal-on-metal hip implants failing due to metal ion […]
Product Differentiation
When marketing a new product, differentiating your product from your competition can be a nuanced activity, depending on the nature of the product. In more tightly regulated markets, customers may require side-by-side comparisons of their existing approved and validated products with your new offering, to ensure that it has the same or better properties. As […]
Analysis of Poly(Ether Ether) Ketone (Peek)
PEEK finds itself increasingly being used in medical device applications due to its strength, biocompatibility, resistance to radiation and degradation, and ease of processing. CPG has been providing testing services on PEEK for our clients for several years, including crystallinity assessment by DSC and FTIR, mechanical properties, surface morphology characterization, and rheological characterization. CPG now […]
New Testing Capabilities at Cambridge Polymer Group
Cambridge Polymer Group now offers the following testing capabilities: Variable Pressure/Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy Conventional scanning electron microscopy requires high vacuum and samples with a conductive surface. Polymeric materials usually have to be coated with a metal layer (gold, palladium, iridium, carbon), and wet samples must be thoroughly dried. With variable pressure SEM, wet and […]
Magneto Rheometer
Engineers are increasingly turning to so-called smart fluids to solve complex mechanical problems. One specific type of smart fluid is the magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) which greatly increases its viscosity to the point of becoming a viscoelastic solid when subjected to a magnetic field. Importantly, the yield stress and viscosity of the fluid when in […]