ASFLEX
New Material for a Reoperation-Free Future

• ASFLEX is the world's first cardiovascular surgical suture made of polyvinylidene-fluoride (PVDF). The birth of this remarkable product traces back to the encounter with an entirely novel material.
  In earlier times, cardiovascular surgeries relied on polypropylene (PP) sutures. However, PP suture may deteriorate in patient's body, causing dislodge of sutures between artificial blood vessels and patient's blood vessels. Reoperation needed by this dislodgement is a great burden for patients.
  
  Our introduction to PVDF was led by a major Japanese underwear manufacturer that handles various synthetic fibers. Compared to PP, PVDF superiors in many points: strength, reslience against deteriorate in long terms, and less damage caused to human body. Nevertheless, its expensiveness and its difficulty in processing prevented PVDF sutures to go on market. Moreover, for companies that already had a secure market with conventional PP sutures, there was less reason but more risks to pioneer in PVDF sutures.
  

  
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  We were able to make a swift decision to develop PVDF suture since our own background in suture and needle production for cardiovascular surgery was relatively nascent.
  Our novel development was underpinned by the indomitable spirit of our engineers, who embraced challenges with an unwavering defiance of failure. Developing products by new material has challenges; the hurdles for the pharmaceutical approval are high; the amount of time and resource invested does not promise a success of the product. Despite the internal cautionary voices regarding the associated risks, we pressed forward. Our business paradigm is fundamentally rooted in the creation of new markets through the incubation of innovative products, rather than the role of a follower in an existing product landscape.
  
  The commercialization of ASFLEX was supported by our company's technology which handled the hard-to-process PVDF. Today, ASFLEX is highly regarded by doctors throughout Japan. Through the challenges in the uncharted market of PVDF sutures, we realized that taking on challenges can stimulate creativity and advance technology.