An absorbable suture is the first medical device derived from a new class of biopolymers produced by recombinant DNA technology.

The absorbable suture is made from TephaFlex, a member of the new class of biopolymers, which have mechanical and biological properties that are uniquely applicable to implantable medical devices. Compared to synthetic polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA), TephaFlex material is tougher and more flexible, with an absorption rate and degradation profile that are compatible with human tissue repair and replacement applications. However, unlike other biopolymers such as collagen and hyaluronate, TephaFlex is thermoplastic and can be fabricated into virtually any shape or form--including fibers, films, tubes, foams, textiles, microspheres, and molded constructs--using a wide range of conventional melt and solvent processing techniques.

The absorbable suture is one of the strongest absorbable fibers known, offering up to 50% greater tensile strength than monofilament absorbable sutures. In addition to high strength, the suture also offers surgeons improved flexibility, good knot security, and prolonged strength retention when implanted. The TephaFlex absorbable suture is a product of Tepha (Cambridge, MA, USA), and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

We are delighted that the FDA has cleared the TephaFLEX absorbable suture, said Dr. Simon Williams, President and CEO of Tepha. The company's novel biopolymer technology can now be further applied to the development of a range of medical devices to meet unmet clinical needs.

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