Voyager Applications

ACE^® Surgical Suture

The Problem

Despite advances in surgical techniques, abdominal wall closure remains a critical unmet need. Clinical data show that up to 20% of patients develop an incisional hernia within five years of surgery, a serious complication that often necessitates corrective procedures and is associated with chronic pain, reduced quality of life, and even a 4% mortality rate. A major driver of this problem lies in today’s surgical sutures, which lose effectiveness after just 8 weeks, while many patients, especially those with delayed wound healing, require secure closure for at least 24 weeks. This mismatch leaves more than half of patients inadequately protected, underscoring the urgent need for better solutions.

Current Solutions

Current surgical sutures such as PDS-II (J&J) and Maxon (Medtronic) are considered the gold standard, yet they provide reliable tissue support for less than 8 weeks—falling short of the full healing period required by more than half of patients undergoing abdominal wall closure. MONOMAX (B. Braun) offers longer durability but is commercially impractical, priced at two to three times higher than PDS-II due to high production costs. As a result, none of today’s leading options adequately balance clinical effectiveness with commercial viability. ACE^® surgical suture is uniquely positioned as the only suture that delivers both extended clinical performance and scalable, cost-effective production.

Our Solution

Ace^® Surgical Suture, composed of our innovative PPCA^® polymer, is the only suture that bridges the gap between long-term mechanical support and economic viability. It provides extended tissue support for 5-6 months, nearly triple the duration of leading alternatives, while fully resorbing within 12-18 months.

Its monofilament structure minimizes tissue drag, reduces infection risk, and its green coloration improves intraoperative visibility. Available in USP 0, 1, and 2, with straight and looped configurations, ACE^® offers surgeons a clinically superior, easy-to-use, cost-neutral solution for abdominal wall closure and hernia prevention.