Clear imaging and bone-like flexibility for implantable fracture plates

November, 12, 2024 - Syensqo, previously part of Solvay Group, is making its debut at Compamed 2024. Visitors are able to explore the company’s full range of polymers for the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry, including a portfolio of Solviva biomaterials for implantable medical devices.

“We are very pleased to present our complete materials offering to the medical and pharmaceutical audience at Compamed,” says Federico Baruffi, Global Marketing Manager, Life Solutions at Syensqo. “The applications shown at our booth benefit from our long-standing experience in this demanding market and demonstrate the capabilities of our teams to help customers turn their innovative concepts to reality.”

One of the highlights on display is the novel implantable ApolloAnkle Fracture Plating System (Apollo AFX) by GLW Medical Innovation, featuring a wide selection of hybrid plates that combine a 3D-printed titanium shell with injection molded Zeniva polyetherether ketone (PEEK). All plates are manufactured in a proprietary zero-waste process and exhibit smooth, rounded corners to minimize the risk of soft tissue irritation. GLW’s patented PEEKLOC technology complements the system to permit polyaxial screw placement over a total range of 30 degrees. The hybrid plate interface minimizes the risk of plate and screw ‘cold-welding’ that has been seen with incumbent systems.

Vadim Gurevich, President and CEO of GLW, adds: “We are elevating the plating market through our 3D-printed Ti-PEEK hybrid plating platform. Apollo AFX represents a game-changing technology by delivering a clinically differentiated, compliant and cost-effective solution to the orthopedic landscape. As in previous projects, Zeniva PEEK provided exactly the right property profile to enable this unique innovation.”

According to Syensqo, Zeniva PEEK is one of the most bio-stable plastics available and meets the requirements of ASTM F2026-07 for implantable applications in human surgery. It can be carbon reinforced and delivers high strength, stiffness, toughness and fatigue resistance. These attributes and a modulus of elasticity similar to that of cortical bone greatly support the stress shielding protection provided by the Apollo AFX system, the company claims.

Syensqo says that, in contrast to traditional metal, the PEEK polymer also offers greater design freedom for complex anatomical contouring of implants. Its natural ortholucency improves the intraoperative and postoperative visualization of bones and joint spaces in medical imaging.

Syensqo is exhibiting during Compamed 2024 from November 11 to 14 in Düsseldorf, Germany

Source: Syensqo