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SILICON NITRIDE

The
IDEAL

Biomaterial

In the race to achieve interbody fusion, material matters.

Superior Bone Growth

The surface chemistry and natural nanostructure topography of silicon nitride provide an optimal environment for stimulation of osteoprogenitor cells to differentiate into osteoblasts.

GREATER PROTEIN ADSORPTION

Silicon nitride demonstrates significantly greater protein adsorption (fibronectin, laminin and vitronectin) in comparison to PEEK and titanium.

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In Vitro Study

May not be representative of clinical performance

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.

Bacteriostatic Properties

Silicon nitride demonstrates significantly lower biofilm formation at 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours as compared to PEEK and titanium.

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DEMONSTRATED BACTERIOSTATIC PROPERTIES

Live bacteria (S. epidermidis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and Enterococcus) associated with silicon nitride implants are 8 to 30 times lower than PEEK and titanium.

2

In Vitro Study

May not be representative of clinical performance

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).

Just the Facts.tiff

Enhanced Imaging

Silicon nitride implants provide favorable imaging across all modalities.

SUPERIOR IMAGING QUALITIES

Silicon nitride implants are semi-radiolucent with clearly visible boundaries, and produce no distortion under MRI and no scattering under CT.

What is
SILICON NITRIDE (Si3N4)

Silicon nitride is an inorganic and non-metallic material made of silicon and nitrogen, two

elements that are essential for life. First synthesized in 1857, silicon nitride was commercialized in the 1950s. Research funded by the US, EU, and Japanese governments during the 1970s and 1980s helped optimize the material and reduce manufacturing costs. Because of its advantages, silicon nitride was adopted in many industries.

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In the 1990’s, naturally-occurring silicon nitride was discovered in meteorite stardust, suggesting intergalactic origins of the material from the beginning of time.

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1 R. Jugdaohsingh, “Silicon and Bone Health,” J Nutr Heal. Aging, 11 [2] 99–110 (2007).

2 L.M. Jurkić, I. Cepanec, S.K. Pavelić, and K. Pavelić, “Biological and Therapeutic Effects of Ortho-Silicic Acid and some Ortho-Silicic Acid- Releasing Compounds: New Perspectives for Therapy,” Nutr.Metab. (Lond)., 10 [1] 2 (2013).

3 D.M. Reffitt, N. Ogston, R. Jugdaohsingh, H.F.J. Cheung, B.A.J. Evans, R.P.H. Thompson, J.J. Powell, and G.N. Hampson, “Orthosilicic Acid Stimulates Collagen Type 1 Synthesis and Osteoblastic Differentiation in Human Osteoblast-Like Cells in vitro,” Bone, 32 [2] 127–135 (2003).

4 M. Schneider, “The Importance of Ammonia in Mammalian Cell Culture,” J. Biotechnol., 46 [3] 161–185 (1996).

5 R.C. Sangster and D.J. Fisher, “Part C. Si3N4 Products, Uses and Markets;” pp. 137–246 in Form. Silicon Nitride from 19th to 21st Century, 2nd ed. Geneva, Switzerland, 2015.

6 A.J. Fyzik and D.R. Beamant, “Microstructure and Properties of Self-Reinforced Silicon Nitride,” J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 76 [11] 2737–2744 (1993).

7 F.L. Riley, “Silicon Nitride and Related Materials,” J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 83 [2] 245–265 (2000).

THE SCIENCE BEHIND SILICON NITRIDE

Studies and Clinical Experiences

Want to know more?

We're glad you asked.

CTL Amedica has plethora of studies, white papers and clinical experiences we would love to share with you. Please reach out to us if you would like to learn more about the amazing qualities silicon nitride implants have to offer you and your patient population.

We can't wait to hear from you!

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