With the new generation composite meshes, the quality of life of patients will be improved by reducing many risks without the need for post-operative operations. At the same time, it is envisaged to prevent the import of hernia patches and export them to 40 different countries within the first two years.

Under the leadership of TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) Chemical Technology Institute (KTE), in collaboration with TÜBİTAK MAM Materials Institute (ME), Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital and Altaylar Medical, the first new generation composite meshes were developed.

2014 yılında başlayan TEYDEB 1505 projesi kapsamında üretilen yerli meshlerin, Türkiye’nin %85 dışa bağımlı olduğu tıbbi cihaz sektöründe, özellikle fıtık ameliyatlarında kullanılan ve ithal edilen katma değeri yüksek meshlere alternatif olması, yeni nesil çok işlevli fıtık yamaları ithalatını önlemesi ve ilk iki yıl içerisinde 40 farklı ülkeye ihraç edilmesi öngörülüyor.

Thanks to the product groups developed under the leadership of Dr. Serdar Sezer, Deputy Director and Chief Researcher of TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center Chemical Technology Institute (KTE), it was stated that thanks to the composite products developed with tissue-compatible, biodegradable, anti-adhesive, antibacterial and bleeding-stopping properties that prevent complications encountered in existing hernia patches in both extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal applications, many risks will be reduced and the quality of life of patients will be improved without the need for post-operative operations.

Projected to Create a National Brand in a Short Time

Stating that biodegradable polymer pre-pilot production was established for the first time in Turkey, Dr. Sezer said that hemostatic product groups that provide bleeding stopping properties to the patches were also produced. Within the scope of the project, for which patent applications have been made due to the fact that all the processes developed include innovative and cost-reducing materials/techniques, composite meshes are expected to become a national brand in a very short time.

Altaylar Medical Company, which signed a cooperation protocol with TÜBİTAK MAM in 2013, envisioned the domestic production of new generation composite and biodegradable materials to be used in surgical operations at the beginning of the project, and aimed to gain significant prestige with the products that are thought to be obtained in a unique structure for the first time in the world. Stating that he attributed the completion of the production processes from raw materials to the final product and pre-clinical studies in a short period of 24 months to the harmonious work of the interdisciplinary project team, Dr. Sezer said that Ecz. Prof. Dr. Selçuk Haydanlı (Altaylar Medikal), medical doctors Prof. Dr. Abdullah Sağlam (Consultant), Assoc. Dr. Ali Aktekin, Assoc. Dr. Fügen Aker (Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital) and Chemical Engineers Prof. Dr. Ülker Beker, Assoc. Dr. Hacer Doğan (KTE), Prof. Dr. Faruk Yılmaz (GTE) Biomedical Engineer Ümran Aydemir Sezer (ME) and Chem. Eng. Dr. Alican Vatansever, Dr. Merve Gürtekin Seden, Assistant Chemists Vildan Şanko, Kevser Öztürk, İsa Şahin, Zeynep Koçer (KTE) and Technicians Handan Karakale, Nevin Bekir, Zekai Korlu, Mustafa Candemir (KTE).