Invibio has launched a new high-performance polymer-based trauma device technology for internal fracture fixation. The new trauma device technology is based on a composite called “PEEK-OPTIMA Ultra Reinforced polymer”. A company press release reports that it delivers similar mechanical strength to metallic plates, with 50x greater fatigue resistance.
The press release adds that PEEK-OPTIMA Ultra-Reinforced polymer, a composite of PEEK-OPTIMA Natural polymer reinforced with continuous carbon fibres, provides the strength and fatigue resistance demanded by high-load trauma implant applications. Using PEEK-OPTIMA Ultra-Reinforced polymer, designers can alter stiffness and develop trauma implants that are less rigid than metal implants, increasing dynamic loading and promoting secondary healing at the fracture site. This Invibio Trauma Device Technology gives surgeons a new option for treating patients at high risk of developing complications related to internal trauma fixation, such as non-unions, delayed unions and implant failures.
“Patients who are at risk for slow or delayed healing can benefit from implants composed of PEEK-OPTIMA Ultra-Reinforced because the fatigue life is so much greater than metal. They’re more likely to be able to heal their fracture before their implant fails due to fatigue. There’s a whole host of patients that are slow to heal, including smokers and patients with diabetes, poor bone quality or open fractures, who have an enhanced potential to heal,” states David J Hak, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Denver Health, University of Colorado.
