Michelle Lishner • Sales Engineer II, Cortland Biomedical

A key trend in sports medicine is the growing use of biomedical textiles in procedures designed to restore an athlete’s full range of motion while minimizing recovery time. These textiles are increasingly integrated into devices used for treating soft tissue injuries, bone repair, ligament stabilization, and more. 

The customization capabilities of textiles allow for development of implants and fixation devices tailored to the specific demands of each procedure. This ensures greater stability, reduced surgical complexity, and enhanced compatibility with the body’s tissues. Innovations in textile design, such as multilayered woven structures and adjustable braided fabrications, provide surgeons with reliable tools that mimic the mechanical properties of natural tissues, facilitating more effective and durable repairs.

Our ability to engineer highly customizable textile solutions is helping drive advancements in sports medicine, offering more reliable, durable, and patient-focused devices that aim to get both professional and amateur athletes back to their sports—and their lives—faster.

We are at the forefront of developing biomedical textiles that enable less invasive sports medicine procedures by leveraging their inherent flexibility, durability, and high tensile strength. These textiles can be delivered through smaller incisions that expand or adapt to the body’s natural architecture, significantly reducing the need for extensive surgical interventions. This is particularly beneficial for treating athletic, active patients who prioritize restoring and preserving their range of motion and natural movement.

Our biomedical textiles are highly compatible with biological structures and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of various procedures. For instance, braided or woven textiles with customizable properties, such as variable density, facilitate simpler and more durable surgical repairs by distributing loads over larger surface areas. Woven and knitted textile structures serve as robust foundations for implants and anchor points, promoting tissue ingrowth and ensuring stable fixation. These advancements allow surgeries to be simpler, less invasive, and more effective, leading to shorter recovery times and better overall patient outcomes.

Furthermore, our expertise in designing multi-layered or tubular woven structures for artificial ligaments ensures implants mimic the behavior of native tendons and ligaments. By addressing factors like intended performance, design attributes, and material selection, our textiles enhance the stability and functionality of surgical repairs while minimizing tissue abrasion and promoting seamless integration with the body’s tissues. This comprehensive approach not only improves the reliability of medical devices but also accelerates the return of athletes—from little leaguers to professionals—to their active lifestyles.

This content appeared in the feature article “The Game Plan for the Sports Medtech Industry” in the print edition of ODT. Read the article here!