Tradition and Innovation

New machine generations followed, and their use brought a constant increase in patient safety. Machines became significantly more user-friendly with the advent of digitised dialysis in the 1980s. B. Braun has been running dialysis centers since the early 1990s, the first of which was opened in Budapest, Hungary, in 1991. After the turn of the millennium, networked systems meant that a dialysis patient’s entire treatment process could now be controlled and documented. B. Braun Avitum has had global success as a full-service supplier for extracorporeal blood treatment since 2008, and now runs more than 360 renal care centers.

Otto Braun, who was commercial director at the time, took care to ensure the profitability of product development. Dr. Bernd Braun was a scientist and inventor who, with his engineers, conducted experiments in search of the best solution. The focus was on user safety and patient comfort. Rigid metal cannulas are uncomfortable and glass containers break easily. The high cost of containers meant that they were reused, leading to an increased risk of bacterial contamination.

B. Braun made a breakthrough in the 1950s: the development of single-use  infusion equipment made of plastic. Shortly afterwards, the brothers invented their real moneymaker: the Braunüle. Users and patients alike experienced its increased safety, and its convenient, comfortable flexibility under sterile conditions. The company led the way in pump development, as it does today. Already in 1951, B. Braun offered the predecessor of what became the Perfusor, a dosage pump for the IV drug administration.

The Infusomat, the first volumetric infusion pump, followed in 1971. To this day, B. Braun is a leader in infusion therapy. Braunüle and Perfusor have become generic terms, synonymous with the quality and safety that we continue to develop. In 2012 we introduced Introcan® Safety 3, featuring an integrated, self-sealing valve that prevents blood leakage and protects against infection.

Only a few years later, Jetter’s company already offered a comprehensive  product line. More innovations came in the decades that followed; in the field of abdominal surgery, for example, the first forceps-shaped suturing machine with metal clips to allow reliable stapling in the gastro-intestinal tract was introduced in 1922. Products for cardiothoracic and vascular surgery were added to the portfolio. Innovative motors for bone surgery were also developed: the first surgical electric motor appeared in 1935, followed by the first pneumatic motor in 1967.

The second half of the 20th century Aesculap branched out to become a specialist supplier of orthopedic implants such as hip and knee joints. Pioneering research in spinal surgery and neurosurgery grew in importance; in fact, B. Braun’s pioneering spirit and quest for perfection are still the driving force behind our efforts to support surgery today. Solutions made with high technological manufacturing standards help to improve people’s health: outstanding precision for minimally invasive procedures or the accurate fitting of artificial knee or hip joints, for example. B. Braun provides a wide and diverse range of services and solutions to cover every aspect of surgical and operative processes in clinics, laboratories or operating room.

Carl Braun, Julius Wilhelm Braun’s grandson, travelled to foreign countries and met interesting people. One of them was Dr. Franz Kuhn, a surgeon from Kassel who was frustrated by the problem of wounds getting infected after closing. There must be a solution, he thought. He told Carl Braun about his idea for sterile, absorbable suture material. Commonplace  today, a revolutionary idea back then. In 1908 came the sensational news from B. Braun: for the first time ever, sterile suture material can be produced and sold. What’s more, the material is fully absorbable, which means it dissolves when the wound is almost healed.

This was only one milestone in the history of wound care therapy. There were more to follow: in 1935, the non-absorbable synthetic suture material Synthofil A was launched successfully. Some further examples of modern wound management are Supramid, a nylon-based suture material; Histoacryl, a tissue adhesive for the closure of skin wounds; and Monosyn, a synthetic absorbable suture material made of glyconate. New, revolutionary procedures are still being developed to this day through the exchange of ideas between scientific research and clinical practice.

As a corporate citizen, the company has always felt a close connection with its locations and their regions.  This is why B. Braun takes responsibility and engages in the development of regional infrastructure, and is actively involved in offering children and young people long-term prospects with projects such as “B. Braun for Children”.