Develop and produce the first domestic biodegradable and bio-absorbable polymer materials for surgical sutures

Biodegradable and absorbable polymer materials

In 1986, through research collaboration with BMG, Gunze obtained approval from Ministry of Health and Welfare for producing the first domestically produced bio-absorbable surgical sutures. This triggered production by BMG of medical-use polymer (PGA) materials for surgical sutures, for the first time domestically.

Thereafter, BMG had stepped forward to PGA production in larger quantities and also had been actively engaged in development and production of various types of biodegradable polymer materials:

In 1996, production of Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) materials for biodegradable and absorbable bone fixtures was commenced;

In 1997, production of Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (LCL) materials for biodegradable and absorbable monofilament surgical sutures was commenced.

Our principal polymer-products and techniques

1. Polyglycolide, PGA, for biodegradable and absorbable multi-filament sutures

   Over 20 years, BMG has been supplying domestically largest quantities of PGA for biodegradable and absorbable multi-filament sutures. PGA Sutures have characteristics of losing about 50% of strength two weeks after surgery and of being absorbed in vivo in about three months, which currently are used most at the world’s medical facilities.

   Since PGA is a very delicate polymer, its quality is always required to be at higher level. To attain this, BMG has been actively working for improvement in its manufacturing technique and product quality, to which higher admiration and trust have been given by our customers over years.

2. Poly-L-lactide, PLLA, for biodegradable and absorbable bone fixtures

   BMG has been taking the lead to develop new applications of PLLA, a principal biodegradable polymer, to bone fixtures and succeeded in establishing a method and technique for manufacturing a biodegradable polymer material having the most suitable properties for such application. This PLLA material for medical use now is supplied to domestic and international medical-device companies.

3. Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), LCL, for bio-absorbable monofilament sutures

   Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) materials with strength and flexibility suitable for monofilament sutures and less residual heavy metals were developed using our own method, which now are supplied for monofilament sutures and other medical devices.

4. Other copolymers under research and development for biodegradable medical devices

   BMG has been developing and producing various types of polymers including Poly(glycolide-co-L-lactide) and Poly-p-dioxanone. We, BMG, now is actively endeavoring to create and develop them so that we may respond to expectation from medical-device companies that have been developing medical sutures, vasodilatory tubes, scaffolds and others for tissue regeneration, usable for new applications.