History and objectives

The Gepromed test platform was created in 2009 on the site of the Strasbourg University Hospitals (HUS). It is the fruit of collaboration between the LPMT (Physics and Mechanical Textiles Laboratory) of the Université de Haute Alsace and the HUS. The platform aims to satisfy two main objectives: services offer and innovation.

Services offer

The first step is to offer an independent technical platform for assessing the mechanical performance of IMDs or the materials that make them up. To achieve this, the platform provides a 2-level service:

  • Carry out standard tests mainly on textile materials (ISO 7108) or vascular implants (ISO 25539). But any other type of test can be considered in agreement with the customer and depending on feasibility.
  • Supporting the design of new tests. In this context, GEPROMED brings to bear its expertise gained from the collaboration of researchers and clinicians to offer any type of structure (including start-ups) the design of specific test configurations or test benches. The aim is to be able to test performances that are not necessarily included in standards.

Since 2013, these two activities have been carried out under ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 certification. What sets GEPROMED apart from other laboratories is the fact that its primary vocation is to support any type of service through a consultancy function. The aim is not to carry out large-scale tests, but rather to work with the customer to identify the limits and potential degradation mechanisms of the materials and devices tested, in order to optimize their design.

Innovation

A second objective of the platform is to support innovation in the field of cardiovascular devices. The equipment is used for academic research work at Master's (6 theses defended) or Doctorate (1 thesis defended, 3 theses in progress) level, resulting in scientific publications. These projects are often interdisciplinary, involving both researchers and clinicians, who pass on their expertise to each other. Collaborations have also been set up with international research laboratories (Tunisia, Italy, USA, Canada). Students can spend 2 to 3 months on internships within the structure.

This innovation activity is not dissociated from the services offer described above, since it leads to the production of knowledge and thus contributes to nourishing Gepromed's recognized expertise in the field of cardiovascular devices. The transposition of this expertise to the study of other medical devices (parietal prostheses, etc.) is currently under development.

Equipments 

  • Extension tester (MTS)
  • Fatigue test head (BOSE)
  • Stent radial force tester (BLOCKWISE)
  • Permeability measuring column
  • Microscopes (KEYENCE)
  • Optical microscopes (KEYENCE)

Certifications

The platform enables testing to ISO 7198 for textile vascular prostheses and ISO 25539 for cardiovascular implants.

Industrial partners

Over the past 10 years, GEPROMED's expertise has been put to work for major companies in the field of medical devices (Perouse Medical, Vygon, W.L. Gore, Lemaitre Vascular), as well as start-ups (Endonov, Endalis, IdNest), generating total sales of around €400,000.