NuVasive (NSDQ:NUVA) yesterday released results from a study of the company’s Porous PEEK material compared against titanium-coated PEEK and smooth PEEK material used in interbody fusion devices, touting advantages of its proprietary materials.
Results from the study were published in The Spine Journal.
In the study, researchers compared interbody implants composed of titanium-coated PEEK, smooth PEEK and NuVasive’s Porous PEEK, which were all subjected to impaction loading conditions.
Results indicated that the Porous PEEK implants maintained a greater than 65% porosity with minimal changes to pore size and depth following impaction. Titanium-coated PEEK implants showed titanium coating loss after impaction with a decrease in surface roughness, while smooth PEEK showed minimal signs of damage and a decrease in surface roughness, the company said.
“The findings in this study are significant because they demonstrate the durability and impaction resistance of interbody implants made from Porous PEEK. Knowing that the porous structure is seamlessly integrated with the implant, without sacrificing implant strength, and that the implant maintains porosity following impaction means that the opportunity for bony ingrowth is optimized,” Dr. Kevin Foley said in a prepared statement.
“Porous PEEK exemplifies our focus on disruptive technology and materials science. Born out of years of pre-clinical research, this durable implant technology combines the inherent benefits of porosity with the advantageous material properties of PEEK. Designed for enhanced osseointegration, biomechanical, and imaging properties, Porous PEEK and the entire NuVasive advanced materials science portfolio, which also includes Modulus titanium interbody implants, represent the future of porous implant technologies,” NuVasive strategy, tech and corp dev EVP Matt Link said in a press release.
Earlier this month, NuVasive said it is appealing a $27.8 million loss to distributor Madsen Medical in a sales poaching case, with the new case slated for April 18.