Collagen Technology

Kensey Nash produces bovine dermis derived collagen for use in a wide range of medical devices. Collagen is a natural protein and the predominant biomolecule found in blood vessels, dermis, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the organic phase of bone.

Because of its many appealing characteristics, collagen has a long history of use in medical devices ranging from hemostats and surgical meshes to bone void fillers. The material is ideal because, when purified properly, it is extremely bio-friendly, can be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes, and acts as a temporary scaffold for tissue regeneration.

Kensey Nash produces medical devices from various collagen formulations. These materials are manufactured from purified collagen extracts like bovine dermis, which is a source of primarily Type I Collagen. The difference between Kensey Nash's formulations is the degree to which the collagen fibers are dissociated. Collagen fibers are ordered bundles of collagen fibrils, which, in turn, are ordered as bundles of collagen molecules (tropocollagen). With our collagen processing technology we have the ability to process collagen in fiber, fibril and soluble collagen forms, allowing us to make products with custom-tailored properties for your application.  

Collagen Configurations

Collagen Blending and Compounding

To further enhance the customization of your product, we have the ability to blend additives into the collagen forms.  We have experience compounding may different active ingredients including:

Control of Mechanical Properties

In applications where higher strength or longer in-vivo persistence is required, Kensey Nash's proprietary methods for orienting the fibers in the collagen impart greater strength. We can alter the physical and chemical properties by adding chemical or non-chemical crosslinking.  We can optimize these methods of formulation to provide the best material properties for your application.

Manufacturing Controls

In addition to taking measures to ensure that the starting materials are disease free, Kensey Nash has controls in place to ensure that the materials remain safe throughout various manufacturing processes. Our manufacturing facility is ISO 13485 certified and our collagen is processed in certified ISO Class 8 cleanrooms.  With routine audits and testing, we ensure the material always meets government and customer specifications.  

Potential End-Use Applications

Kensey Nash's collagen configurations have the potential to be used in a variety of clinical applications, ranging from bone void fillers and cartilage repair devices, wound dressings and hemostatic agents, to nerve regeneration conduits and tissue augmentation supports.