“The goal of the Israel Innovation Authority’s Advanced Manufacturing Division is to promote Israeli industry via the development of an international level of quality for advanced products and production processes. Medibrane and Hanita Lenses are examples of how the Israeli manufacturing industry is navigating new markets that require highly advanced technologies and products that are functionally distinct and offer added value vis-\u00e0-vis their international competitors”, says Aharon Aharon, CEO of the Innovation Authority. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The development of advanced manufacturing technologies is a lengthy process that usually ends with a new and innovative product. In the case of Medibrane \u2013 a company that supplies services in the field of polymeric coverings for medical stents and braids (stents that are composed of meshes) \u2013 the innovation is not expressed in the invention of a new covering device but rather, specifically, in advanced and efficient technologies related to the fabrication methods. Medibrane chose to develop these technologies in order to contend with the competition and to stand out in the global market. The company was founded in 2015 by Dr. Amir Kraitzer, a biomaterials expert, and Elad Einav, a trained mechanical engineer. Medibrane’s facility is located in Rosh Ha’Ayin and employs about 20 workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
From Manual to Semi-Automated Production <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
“The field of coatings is a unique niche and one that requires extensive knowledge and multidisciplinary-based technologies”, explains Einav, who serves as the company’s CEO. “Today, after five and a half years of operation, we have already completed two successful rounds of capital raising \u2013 first from STI and a larger investment from the Resonetics, a US-based company that acquired STI and invested in our technology development and our coatings production line”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three main companies operate in this field today in the US and UK. Medibrane is one of them and it offers the widest and most unique range of coatings technologies. The company manufactures different products using advanced polymeric coatings based on silicone, polyurethane, ePTFE, and Dacron that are applied using dipping, spraying or lamination technologies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thanks to the Innovation Authority’s support, Medibrane has developed a method that enables the semi-automated laminating of fabric stent coatings. This is a rapid production process, already in use by clients who previously worked manually to suture the fabric to the stent using a strong thread and needle. “Most of the coatings manufactured by the company are based on the new technology we developed”, says Einav. Manufacturing became semi-automated because of strong lamination that allows to connect polymer to metal and which replaces the manual suturing that extends production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strong Adhesion and Rigid Regulation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Medibrane engineers also developed a unique platform that increases the adhesion between the metal stent and the polymer coating. “The Innovation Authority supported the company from its inception, something we don’t take for granted”, Einav points out. “This is not standard support given to a startup to patent or enhance their processes, or to develop a product but rather, to establish a medical device plant in Israel \u2013 a complex process that requires numerous authorizations and licenses”. The company also receives support from the Manufacturers Association. Medibrane’s target market is medical device companies that manufacture medical stents and valves for cardiovascular and neurovascular applications.<\/p>\n<\/div>