Medical implants show up on X-rays with radiopaque fibers

Cortland Biomedical, a medical textiles product development company in Cortland, N.Y., has announced that it now has capabilities for processing radiopaque fibers. When these fibers are incorporated into diagnostic and interventional medical devices, they allow the devices to become clearly visible under fluoroscopy while maintaining their mechanical properties desired for the specific application. Improved visibility under fluoroscopy and X-rays, including better contrast and sharpness of the image, will allow surgeons to optimally position a device or implant.

Textile-based implants can also incorporate radiopaque fibers, which will enable surgeons to view the position of the implant under fluoroscopy months or even years after surgical placement. The incorporation of textiles allows for lower-profile and more flexible medical devices that can enable less invasive surgical procedures. The company has a range of knitting, weaving and braiding capabilities, enabling it to develop complex, customized textile structures with tailored mechanical properties.