Medtronic announces global launch of titanium-coated Peek interbody fusion devices
Medtronic launched its Pure Titanium Coating (PTC) platform of interbody fusion devices, including polyetheretherketone (PEEK), for the spine at the 2014 Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Annual Meeting in Boston in October. The PTC platform includes four products to treat pain caused by compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots by helping to restore normal disc height.
The PTC devices represent an evolution in interbody fusion technology and are constructed of a combination of the two materials most commonly used in interbody fusion procedures: titanium and polyetheretherketone. Although surgeons have historically preferred interbody spacers made of titanium, over the last 10 years PEEK has largely become the material of choice because it has a modulus of elasticity that is similar to human cortical bone and it does not show up on X-rays – this radiolucency enables the surgeon to more easily assess the surgical site over time after surgery.
With the application of a thin layer of textured pure titanium about 0.1mm thick to the top and bottom of each PEEK implant, the PTC devices possess attributes of both PEEK and titanium. Mechanical testing has shown that the pure titanium coating has a greater coefficient of friction than PEEK alone, while the textured coating increases the surface area of the implant, meaning there is more area for bone to come into contact with the surface of the implant.
“Our PTC platform of interbody spacers is the result of our relentless effort to add value to our products and respond to surgeon needs by offering the advantages of combined materials in a single implant,” said Doug King, president of the Spine business and senior vice president at Medtronic. “We will continue to leverage our innovation to produce more advanced and differentiated products for surgeons to use to treat their patients.”
