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Silicon Nitride: A Game-Changer in Spinal Implants

Updated: Mar 29


Are you looking for an advanced and innovative solution for spinal fusion implants? Then you need to discover the power of silicon nitride, a revolutionary material that offers unparalleled benefits for bone regeneration and fusion.


Silicon nitride is one of the most compelling and promising material options in spinal implants, offering a range of benefits that are unmatched by traditional materials like PEEK and titanium. At CTL Amedica, we are proud to be the exclusive provider of these groundbreaking implants for spine.


So, what makes silicon nitride so special? Let's explore some of its unique benefits:


  • Superior bone formation: Our silicon nitride implants demonstrate greater new bone formation at 3, 7, 14, and 90 days compared to PEEK and titanium. In fact, the regenerated bone associated with silicon nitride implants is 2 to 3 times that of PEEK and titanium implants at 3 months after surgery. (1)

  • Greater protein adsorption: Silicon nitride has been shown to have significantly greater protein adsorption compared to PEEK and titanium (2). This means that it provides an optimal environment for stimulation of osteoprogenitor cells to differentiate into osteoblasts, resulting in superior bone formation.

  • Increased osseointegration: Our silicon nitride implants also demonstrate increased osseointegration at 3, 7, 14, and 90 days compared to PEEK and titanium. The percent of bone at the silicon nitride implant interface is 2 to 6 times that of PEEK and titanium implants at 3 months after surgery. (1)

  • Bacteriostatic properties: Silicon nitride has demonstrated significantly lower biofilm formation and live bacteria associated with our silicon nitride implants are 8 to 30 times lower than PEEK and titanium. (2) In fact, no infection has been observed with bacteria-inoculated silicon nitride implants at 3 months, whereas both PEEK and titanium implants maintain a septic state. (1) Additionally, the antibacterial behavior of silicon nitride is probably multifactorial, and relates to surface chemistry, texture, and electrical charge. (3)

  • Enhanced imaging: CTL Amedica’s silicon nitride implants provide favorable imaging across all modalities, resisting the scatter typically seen with its titanium counterparts, and enabling a translucent, yet visible, representation of the implant for precise intraoperative placement and postoperative fusion assessment.

Many of these benefits are due to the unique surface chemistry and natural nanostructure topography of silicon nitride, which provides an optimal environment for bone regeneration and fusion. Unlike familiar ceramics such as porcelain or glass, silicon nitride is also very tough, abrasion and corrosion-resistant, with the highest fracture resistance of any advanced ceramic. (4)


At CTL Amedica, we are committed to delivering the highest quality silicon nitride spinal implants, backed by rigorous scientific research and clinical trials. We believe that our silicon nitride implants represent a multifactorial solution for spinal surgery, offering unparalleled benefits for bone regeneration and fusion, even in the harshest fusion environments.


So why settle for traditional materials when you can experience the power of silicon nitride? Reach out to us to learn more about our innovative spinal implants and how they can benefit your patients.


Contact us today! CTL Amedica

P 1.800.713.9489

F 1.888.831.4892

info@CTLAmedica.com

4550 Excel Parkway, Suite 300

Addison, TX 75001


 

References:

1. Webster TJ, Patel AA, Rahaman MN, Sonny Bal B. Anti-infective and osteointegration properties of silicon nitride, poly(ether ether ketone), and titanium implants

[published online ahead of print July 31, 2012]. Acta Biomater.

2. Gorth DJ, Puckett S, Ercan B, Webster TJ, Rahaman M, Bal BS. Decreased bacteria activity on Si(3)N(4) surfaces compared with PEEK or titanium. Int J Nanomedicine.

2012;7:4829-4840.

3. R.M. Bock, B.J. McEntire, B.S. Bal, M.N. Rahaman, M. Boffelli, and G. Pezzotti, “Surface Modulation of Silicon Nitride Ceramics for Orthopaedic Applications,” Acta

Biomater., 26 318–330 (2015).

4. B.S. Bal and M.N. Rahaman, “Orthopedic Applications of Silicon Nitride Ceramics,” Acta Biomater., 8 [8] 2889–2898 (2012).

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