Founder’s Facts: What Makes BioPoly®… BioPoly?

BioPoly® is often described as “synthetic cartilage,” but what exactly gives it that unique identity? What makes BioPoly more than just another plastic or another orthopedic material?

The answer lies in its microstructure. BioPoly® is a microcomposite — a precisely engineered material composed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and hyaluronic acid (HA). These components are combined through proprietary manufacturing methods to deliver a unique balance of strength and lubrication.

Here’s how it works:

· UHMWPE provides structural integrity. It’s the same proven material used in total joint replacements for decades — durable, resilient, and capable of handling high anatomical loads.

· Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring lubricant in the body, is permanently integrated within the UHMWPE matrix. This allows BioPoly® to retain and interact with synovial fluid during motion — mimicking the behavior of native cartilage.

The result is a self-lubricating, load-bearing biomaterial that performs more like real cartilage than anything else available. It’s hydrophilic, low-friction, and clinically durable.

Some materials, like hydrogels, also attract water but mimic the softness of cartilage — but they often lack the mechanical strength needed to withstand real joint loading. In lab tests, hydrogels may look promising, but in the body, they have been shown to break down, shrink, loosen, or erode over time. BioPoly® solves this by combining cartilage-like lubrication with proven orthopedic durability.

Why does this matter? Because materials matter. Cartilage can’t be replaced with metal because metal is too stiff and hydrophobic, and hydrogels aren’t strong enough. BioPoly’s microcomposite design allows it to work with the joint— not against it.

Thirteen years of clinical success support what we’ve built. And we’re just getting started.

— Dr. Herb Schwartz, President & Founder, BioPoly LLC

Advancing Materials. Advancing Outcomes.™