Cenefom develops lint-free sponges for eye, ENT use

R&D is underway for biodegradable and multifunctional variants.

Taiwan-based Cenefom is expanding its reach in the surgical materials market with its FDA- and CE-certified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponges, designed for ophthalmology and ENT procedures.

Speaking at Medical Taiwan 2025, Kevin Hsieh, Project Senior Manager at Cenefom’s Biomedical Business Division, said: “We produce medical-grade PVA sponge... applicable in various types of medical devices.” These include lint-free eye spears used in LASIK or cataract surgeries and nasal packs used in septoplasty and sinus operations.

“The medical-grade sponge is lint-free. It doesn't shred. It doesn't leave any lint,” Hsieh emphasized, noting the importance of the material for sensitive procedures like eye surgery.

Beyond standard applications, Cenefom is responding to rising demand for sustainable solutions. “We’ve been getting a lot of inquiries about biodegradable types of products... we're still in the process of investigating how to make it biodegradable,” Hsieh said.

Future development may include multifunctional sponges. “By adding a different element, it could become another type of medical device,” he added, citing chitosan as a potential additive for hemostatic purposes.