Orthopedic

Upgrade to Titanium Bones

The Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany, have come up with a new product called TiFoam. Short for "titanium foam" it's made from polyurethane foam which is infused with titanium powder and binding agents. When the polyurethane foam is dissolved, a titanium matrix remains, which is then hardened by heat. The resulting titanium matrix can then replace a damaged bone. Remaining bone cells can then be encouraged to grow in and around it.

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EOS Imaging System Available for Kids

Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego is the first U.S.-based pediatric specialty hospital to install the EOS ultra-low-dose imaging system. It was cleared by the FDA for pediatric use just last month after it was shown to produce 89% less radiation, meaning 10 times less than a conventional x-ray or 100 times less than a CT scan.

EOS captures a complete body image of both children and adults while standing. It takes two pictures and is then able to combine them into a 3D image. Its the first time doctors have been able to visualize the spine in a weight bearing position in 3D which will aid in better surgical planning.

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Patches For Pain Relief - ActiPatch

Bioelectrics developed a non drug pain solution called ActiPatch. It works by delivering a pulsed electromagnetic frequency (PEMF) which accelerates healing of soft tissue injuries. The reduction of swelling leads to a reduction in pain and helps people to return to normal activities.

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Regenerating Spinal Discs - Biostat System

Spinal Restoration, Inc. is currently trailing their Biostat® System which is a non-surgical procedure for chronic low back pain. It consists of BIOSTAT BIOLOGX® Fibrin Sealant, which is a human derived, resorbable biologic tissue sealant. and an application system for delivering the biologic to the intervertebral disc. Application of the Sealant to the disc may alleviate pain by sealing the disc disruptions, reducing inflammation, and enhancing tissue repair.

A Phase III study of the Biostat System for the treatment of discogenic chronic low back pain is now underway. Its the first 'intradiscal biologic therapy' for discogenic pain to enter into a Phase III clinical trial. If successful, the system could have an extensive, impact on the diagnosis and treatment for sufferers of discogenic chronic low back pain.

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Injectable Bone by RegenTec

A U.K. company called RegenTec, hopes to speed up the healing process of broken bones by injecting a white toothpaste like material which seals broken bones together in minutes.

It could mend shattered bones from traffic and sports accidents and help with complex operations on the spine by replacing the need for healthy bone to be taken from the body or donated. It could also replace the need for the 1.5 million painful bone graft procedures are performed worldwide each year.

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Spine Reconstruction with VERTEX SELECT

Medtronic has announced a new spinal reconstruction System. The system is designed for posterior fusions that require the skull to be stabilized to the neck.

When a patient has a serious spinal condition that requires the base of the skull (occiput) to be fused, or joined, to the neck (cervical-upper thoracic spine), this complex procedure must be performed from the back of the spine, also known as a posterior approach. The VERTEX SELECT Occipitocervical Module contains implants and an instrument set necessary for performing this surgical procedure.

Conditions of the spine, such as degenerative disease, can lead to instability and pain for patients. To treat the instability, surgeons perform a spinal fusion, which involves joining two bones together, such as the occiput and vertebrae. Nearly 40,000 posterior cervical fusions are performed each year, of which approximately 10 percent involve occipitocervical fusions.

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Geron Corp - Stem Cells to Treat Spinal Cord Injuries.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has permitted Geron Corp.'s proposal to conduct a clinical trial using stem cells to treat patients with spinal cord injuries. The company will investigate whether stem cells can be used safely to repair nerve tissue in patients with crushed spinal cords.

The treatment may in the future be applied to diseases such as multiple sclerosis, strokes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The FDA's decision was made the day after President Barack Obama was sworn in, though company officials said the timing was coincidental. It was announced on Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported.

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Bionic Knuckles made from Pyrocarbon

Bionic knuckles are now available for sufferers of arthtritis. The replacement knuckles are made from Pyrocarbon which is the same type of material used in the Space Shuttle and nuclear reactors.

Pyrocarbon is as tough as diamond and can be carved into excatly the right shape. It also has similar flexibility to bone and will not cause an allergic reaction and be rejected by the body. They are designed to last a life time and are virtually impossible to wear out.

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