[Image courtesy of Zeus]
3. Zeus: An LCP fiber enabling MRI during catheter procedures
Procedures involving catheterization have used X-ray imaging rather than magnetic resonance imaging to guide the catheter, because the metal in the catheters makes them MRI-incompatible. But X-ray is not ideal for patients and clinicians due to the ionizing radiation involved.
Enter Zeus (Orangeburg, S.C.) and its liquid crystal polymer (LCP) monofilament fiber, which the company touts as ideal for catheter braiding reinforcement. Because the fiber contains no metal, the catheters created with it can be used with MRI.
Zeus officials say they perfected a process to produce LCP as a monofilament fiber that can be easily braided; the fiber boasts LCP properties including mechanical strength, heat tolerance for autoclaving, and chemical inertness.
Most of the innovations shown look like good advances. BUT the oxygen feed system shown in #7 is far more obvious than the devices available here for at least the past 20 years. So unless it offers a real benefit beyond what has existed for many years, what it provides is “not much.”
Now as to the places where innovation is done, what I have observed is that innovation happens where ever it is not discouraged very much. Some companies work diligently to prevent any innovation anywhere except in their R&D departments, while some, such as 3M and a few others, seek to reward and encourage all their employees to innovate. And some companies, while wanting and needing innovation, have embraced cultures that press deliberately at preventing everything that assists creativity.
Thanks for the insights William. It truly is amazing—the number of ways a company can kill innovation.
Also, anything else we should have included in this list?