VICTREX
Invibio Biomaterial Solutions highlights benefits of “PEEK Optima” spinal rods at “Eurospine 2014” symposium / Polymer material holds significant advantages over titanium
 The clinical trial showed that “PEEK Optima” has a failure rate of just 8.1%, compared to 17% for titanium (Photo: Invibio Biomaterial Solutions) |
During the recent “Eurospine 2014” (www.eurospine2014.eu/en), held from 1-3 October in Lyon / France, Invibio Biomaterial Solutions (Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire / UK; www.invibio.com) hosted a symposium on the advantages offered by “PEEK Optima” spinal rods compared to titanium. Initial findings of the clinical research, carried out among 89 patients over a period of three years, show that the rods produced by Invibio – part of high performance polymer solutions provider Victrex (Thornton Cleveleys; www.victrexplc.com) – are strong enough to treat lumbar spine instability.
The trial also showed that PEEK Optima spinal rods have a much lower failure rate than titanium. In terms of biomechanical testing, literature and retrospective clinical results, the material’s failure rate came to just 8.1% – compared to 17% for titanium. A key advantage, Invibio said, is that its material had zero rod breakages. In addition, both before and after fatigue testing, PEEK Optima’s stability remained almost identical (-8%), while that of titanium rods fell significantly (-26%). The PEEK spinal rods are also said to raise the pull out performance of pedicle screws by 20% compared to titanium.
Dr. Jacques Benezech of Montpellier / France, said the study’s initial results show that “for patients with PEEK Optima spinal rods, re-operation rates were reduced significantly.” By comparison, the reoperation rates for titanium rods stand at about 28%.
In conclusion, Invibio said the trial found that PEEK Optima addresses several of the key challenges facing clinical teams today. These include the stiffness inherent in all-metal constructs, a contribution to the clinical challenges that arise from rod breakage and screw loosening, as well as the accelerated degeneration at adjacent spinal segments.
Invibio Biomaterial Solutions first pioneered PEEK biomaterial in 1999. Since then, it has helped develop and commercialise six implantable PEEK grades. According to the company, its “Optima” polymers are used in more than 4m implanted devices worldwide today.
The trial also showed that PEEK Optima spinal rods have a much lower failure rate than titanium. In terms of biomechanical testing, literature and retrospective clinical results, the material’s failure rate came to just 8.1% – compared to 17% for titanium. A key advantage, Invibio said, is that its material had zero rod breakages. In addition, both before and after fatigue testing, PEEK Optima’s stability remained almost identical (-8%), while that of titanium rods fell significantly (-26%). The PEEK spinal rods are also said to raise the pull out performance of pedicle screws by 20% compared to titanium.
Dr. Jacques Benezech of Montpellier / France, said the study’s initial results show that “for patients with PEEK Optima spinal rods, re-operation rates were reduced significantly.” By comparison, the reoperation rates for titanium rods stand at about 28%.
In conclusion, Invibio said the trial found that PEEK Optima addresses several of the key challenges facing clinical teams today. These include the stiffness inherent in all-metal constructs, a contribution to the clinical challenges that arise from rod breakage and screw loosening, as well as the accelerated degeneration at adjacent spinal segments.
Invibio Biomaterial Solutions first pioneered PEEK biomaterial in 1999. Since then, it has helped develop and commercialise six implantable PEEK grades. According to the company, its “Optima” polymers are used in more than 4m implanted devices worldwide today.
04.12.2014 Plasteurope.com [229896-0]
Published on 04.12.2014
German version of this article...