HOMEHISTORY OF INNOVATION
At ETHICON we fund and execute a varied programme of pioneering investment and research
This ensures that our products are constantly being improved to meet the exacting and ever-developing demands of modern surgery.
Every invention, every product, every breakthrough has been powered by generations of employees who are inspired to make a difference.
Since 1915, we have embarked on a process of continual innovation for wound closure technologies:
1915 Sutures sold in glass tubes presentation
1947 Introduction of ETHILON® Nylon suture
1953 Development of jar pack
1958 Introduction of MERSILENE® Polyester fibre
1963 Opening of Cobalt 60 Plant – the first commercial cobalt irradiation sterilisation of suture materials
1969 Introduction of PROLENE® Polypropylene Suture
1974 Introduction of VICRYL® Polyglactin 910 Suture
1976 Introduction of ETHIBOND® Polyester Suture
1979 Introduction of first instruments PROXIMATE® staplers
1979 Introduction of Coated VICRYL® Polyglactin 910 Suture
1984 Introduction of Advance MICRO-POINT® Surgical Needles Suture
1989 Introduction of PDS® II Polydioxanone Suture
1992 Introduction of ETHIGUARD® Blunt point needle
1993 Introduction of Undyed MONOCRYL® Poliglecaprone 25 Suture
1995 Introduction of Coated VICRYL® rapide Polyglactin 910 Suture
1996 Introduction ETHIBOND® EXCEL Polyester Suture
1997 Introduction of dyed MONOCRYL® Poliglecaprone 25 Suture
1998 Introduction of DERMABOND® Octyl-Cyanoacrylate TSA
2002 Introduction of CV Needle Improvement technology
2003 Introduction of New Generation Coated VICRYL® rapide Polyglactin 910 Suture
2004 Introduction of MultiPass® needle technology
2004 Introduction of DERMABOND® ProPen
2004 Introduction of Coated VICRYL® Plus Antibacterial Suture
2007 Introduction of PRINEO® Skin Closure System
2008 Introduction of MONOCRYL® Plus Antibacterial Suture
Our approach to continuous innovation is also applied to improving existing product.
For example, Coated VICRYL® Suture was launched in 1974 and is considered by clinicians the ‘gold standard’ suture. Over the last 25 years ETHICON, in conjunction with the clinician, has reviewed and improved the suture to ensure it meets the needs of modern surgical technique and differing patient disease states.
Evolution of Coated VICRYL® Suture (Polyglactin 910).
1974 Uncoated VICRYL® Suture launched 5 denier per filament (dpf)
1977 Improved VICRYL® Suture 3.5 dpf
1979 VICRYL® Suture Coating – Polyglactin 370 and calcium stearate
1983 Coated VICRYL® Suture 2.0 dpf 21 day claim is 20% strength retention
1988 Coated VICRYL® Suture 21 day claim improves to 40% strength retention
1995 Coated VICRYL® rapide Suture launched
1996 Coated VICRYL® Suture 21 day claim for 50% strength remains
2000 Change to Vegetable based calcium stearate
2003 28 day claim for 25% strength retention
2004 Coated VICRYL® Plus Antibacterial Suture launched
New Product Development – Customer Collaboration
Our healthcare customers are integral to driving our next generation of products. Their ideas combined with our drive for innovation, become the genesis of new product solutions.
We welcome innovative ideas and solutions from the healthcare profession. At ETHICON Products, some of the best ideas we develop come from our customers - the surgeons, nurses and other Healthcare Professionals who know and use our products.
Our customers can submit an idea to ETHICON by going to the following site.
