Can the Bimek SLV really last a lifetime?
What could one possibly get a lifelong guarantee for these days? What could actually last a lifetime without the need for any kind of maintenance? Is there even such a thing? Of course there is. It’s called the Bimek SLV.
The reason for its lifelong durability lies in the basic function of the spermatic duct valve. The flip switch that closes the valve only needs to be used very seldomly. Using it very often does not make sense in accordance with the valve’s intended purpose. Supposing a man, a Bimek SLV wearer, would like to have 10 children, he would then only need to open and close the valve 10 times. Opening and closing 10 times in its entire service life, well we think the Bimek SLV can handle that just fine.
We only use high quality materials and first-class manufacturing. During the valve’s development inventor Clemens Bimek spent a long time searching for the perfect materials and was only satisfied after he found something, of which a higher quality just doesn’t exist.
Materials that never give up
Today the Bimek SLV is made 95% of the tried and tested implant material PEEK Optima. This biocompatible, high temperature plastic combines good sliding properties with the best wear resistance. Not for nothing, PEEK Optima is often regarded as the best choice for an implant material.
Additionally the valve includes tiny metal parts made of an implant titanium and, where resilient properties are required, the super alloy Phynox. These springs are oversized for their function, so that the elements would still work, even if they lose over 50% or more of their power during their years of usage. Consequently, wear and tear in the moveable parts cannot be measured owing to the minimal amount of times the switching procedure is actually performed during the valve’s service life.
Tests prove durability, even under unrealistic conditions
With high quality technical devices it’s common practice that the product’s technical durability or service life is proved before its market launch. The Bimek SLV completed a test, in which the valve was opened and closed in cycles in dried and unlubricated conditions, in minimum time. Within a minute of this test the product’s entire service life had already been simulated multiple times.
Before they are actually implanted, the valves receive a dose of lubricant and then take a bath in a physiological sodium chloride solution. A spring-loaded roll mechanism ensures a secure lock in each position, as with every toggle switch.
The Bimek SLV is sealed tight
The valve also keeps its tight seal for a lifetime, because no elastic, abrading rubber or silicone materials are used. The insertion of the spring-loaded sealing plugs onto the inner wall of the valve body further increases the strength of the seal.
Now the time has come to prove the valve’s remarkable reliability in a clinical study. A proposal for an application for the clinical study to an ethics commission will be placed soon.
The Bimek SLV-Team
Bild: Wikipedia