Ground-breaking new medical alloy with higher x-ray visibility to improve patient treatment worldwide

Since the 1990s therapeutic procedures using catheters, stents and other minimally invasive medical devices have replaced the need for invasive surgical procedures of the past. However, many of these devices are made of metal alloys which are difficult to see during treatment. The Materials and Surface Science Institute (MSSI) at the University of Limerick has invented a new alloy that overcomes this difficulty. Medical devices made from this new alloy will be highly visible under medical x-ray imaging, making placement, manipulation and application inside the body much easier. This will significantly improve treatment quality by reducing time required for treatment, repeat procedures, and trauma. In addition to impacting patients, the project has significantly increased medical R&D capacity in Ireland and helped provide highly skilled jobs in both research and manufacturing. The research was conducted by UL in partnership with international medical devices company Cook Medical, and was supported by Enterprise Ireland.