Antibacterial technology

Silver in different forms has been widely used in medicine for curing disease and help promote wound healing since early times. Recent advancement in technology has introduced silver nanoparticles into the medical field. As studies of silver nanoparticles improve, several silver nanoparticles medical applications have been developed to help prevent the onset of infection and promote faster wound healing.

The coating of medical implants is one recent silver nanoparticles medical application.

Mechanism of action

Silver allows spontaneous emissions of the ions which are on its surface and these ions are antibacterial. Silver makes sulfhydryl enzymes inactive and makes them compound with amino, imidazole, carboxyl and phosphate groups. It prevents mitosis by annulling DNA replication especially at eukaryote through its characteristics. With a study on P.Aeruginosa, it has been remarked that silver had stopped the replication by attaching to DNAs of bacterium cells which are at phase of logarithmic reproduction. Moreover, silver reacts on proteins which are in propriodentium and bone tissue anth this condition annuls standard milieu for bacterium reproduction. With a study on E.coli, it has been that silver affects cell’s energy metabolism by averting glucose, glycerol, fumarate, succinate, D-lactat and oxidation of D-lactat. With another study, it has also been  observed that silver inhibits enzyme of B-galactosidase and in this way it causes necrosis. Namely, silver is both bactericidal and bacteriostatic.

Antibacterial Coating

Following the silver coating with Sol-Gel method, it was pro projected that the volume of silver changes by 2mg to 5mg in total. Even in cases that the entire volume of silver rapidly involves the circulation of body, it will not be possible for silver level in blood to reach a toxic level that will cause acute or chronic argyria.

Our Antibacterial Silver Screw System is a pedicle screw, which is used for the treatment of degenerative or pathologic diseases to achieve an artificial stabilization.

Silver, which is the basic logic of the system, has antibacterial characteristics. Among the most effective antibiotics, Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococous Aureus (MRSA) is one of the primary dangerous bacteriums. Studies have shown that silver protects the stabilization systems used in spinal surgery from bacterium such as MRSA (meticillin-resistant Staphylococous aureus-Meticillin is among the most powerful antibiotics) that causes hospital infections with a rate of 91,6%, and even kills these deadly microorganisms.

With purpose of not changing the biomedical characteristics of the system that this procedure will be applied to, and not to create side effects because of the material used, the coating material in microgram weights must be implanted onto the system in micro thickness. Spinal systems which are coated with silver by Nanotechnology methods, are considered a perfect application of the most effective antibacterial actions with complete biomechanical compliance. The length of the operation time in “transpedicular stabilization with screw-rod system”, which has become one of the routine application in spinal surgery, and predisposing causes like wideness of the incision or foreign material applications (titanium screws) carry an increased risk of infection. In case of infection growth antibiotic therapies and the increased hospitalization period increased greatly the cost of treatment. In addition, the available antibiotics may not always be sufficient to solve the problem and in some patients, removing of the implant is necessary with a second operation. The main purpose of this study is coating of the titanium implants used with nanoparticles silver ions and reducing the infection rate and risk.

News

We will have a booth at the following exhibitions:

EANS 2012 , Bratislava , Slovakia 24-27 October 2012 , Stand No.4

MEDICA 2012 ,  Dusselddorf - Germany , 14-17 November 2012 , Stand 13E37 .

PRODUCTS

CERVICAL

The artificial cervical disc NEO-phytos is an attractive alternative to arthrodesis for the management of disc degeneration and herniation in the cervical spine for single and multiple levels assuring faster return to normal activity.

NEO-phytos is designed for the treatment of symptomatic cervical disc which may be causing arm pain, arm weakness or numbness with some degree of neck pain. These symptoms may occur due to a herniated disc and/or osteophytes compressing adjacent nerves or the spinal cord. NEO-phytos is composed of a silicone center with titanium endplates. It is designed as a one piece two - materials device that allows unconstrained motion.The endplates are coated with Hydroxyapatite that allows bone in-growth, they also have three spikes for fixation and securely placement.NEO-phytos is designed to match the natural contour of the uncovertebral joint allowing a normal range of motion (flexion, extension, side bending and rotation) and alignment (height and curvature).NEO-phytos allows for a press-fit implantation and has the ability to absorb a large compressive load while still providing adequate motion between two adjacent bony vertebrae.NEO-phytos comes in two sizes small and medium and three dimensions of 5, 6 and 7mm.A friendly and easy to use and place implant that comes in a holder in sterilized package.

Advantages of NEO-phytos: 

• One piece device
• Allows unconstrained motion
• Easy to use and place implant
• User friendly instrumentation

The artificial cervical disc NEOPHYTOS CP is an attractive alternative to arthrodesis for the management of disc degeneration and herniation in the cervical spine for single and multiple levels assuring faster return to normal activity.

NEOPHYTOS CP is designed for the treatment of symptomatic cervical disc which may be causing arm pain, arm weakness or numbness with some degree of neck pain. These symptoms may occur due to a herniated disc and/or osteophytes compressing adjacent nerves or the spinal cord.

The artificial cervical disc NEOPHYTOS CP with carbon peak endplates cause no artifacts. This allows proper postoperative visualization of the neural structures at the operated and adjacent levels. Also, carbon peak has the ability to facilitate bone ingrowth.

Furthermore, NEOPHYTOS CP is an anatomically designed one-piece device with silicone center, which allows a normal range of motion, flexion, extension, rotation, lateral movement or a combination of the above. Additionally, the silicone center prevents synostosis between the vertebra.

Advantages of NEOPHYTOS CP:

• Carbon Peek endplates.
• Allow postoperative imaging without artifacts.
• Faster bone ingrowth with vertebral endplates.
• Silicone Center.
• Allows a normal range of motion, flexion, extension, rotation, lateral movement, or a combination of the above.
• Prevents osteoporosis & synostosis between the vertebras.

The NEOostosis system is yet another excellent result of our research and design in superior technological advancements to provide solutions for cervical disc degeneration.

The NEOostosis system consists of an innovative stand -alone, press fit, peek or carbon peek cervical cage which can be further reinforced with the aid of an anatomically “S” shaped antibacterial  silver coated, black coloured Titanium plate. The combination of the two implants offers a powerful single or multiple level fusion for optimal stability.


NEOostosis is anatomically designed to match the natural contour of the human disc. The pins allow fixation without the need for additional screws. The central hole in the peek version is designed to increase bone growth with the addition of bone grafts.

LUMBAR

Interspinous Device (U) silver coated for antibacterial effect in posterior spinal decompression.

NEO-U has shown to be an attractive alternative to conventional surgical procedures in patients with protrusions and hernias of vertebrae discs, degenerative stenosis of vertebrae channel and insignificant instability of vertebrae-motion segment and 1st stage of degenerative spondylolisthesis.

It is designed for dynamic fixation and stabilization. Its shape offers more contact surface and allows controlled movement in forward and backward bending.

NEO-U reduces stresses at the posterior facet joints, opens up the foramina, stabilizes and protects the adjacent level.

NEO-U is colored black to reduce light reflection under microscope and it is also available in sacral types.

NEO-U comes in 4 height dimensions of 8, 10, 12 and 14mm and also in sacral type.

Available sterile/ non-sterile

Advantages of NEO-U:

• Special screw mechanism for extra security
• Sacral type in 4 height dimensions of 8, 10, 12 and 14mm
• Simple and easy instrument set

Expandable Lumbar Stand-Alone Cage NEO-desmos is designed for posterior implantation in spinal fusion surgery as a common treatment for degenerative or pathologic disc diseases, spine ligament instability, foramen stenosis by reduction of intervertebral spaces, recurrent prolapse, lumbar pseudarthrosis, grade 1 and 2 degenerative or isthmic spondylolisthesis (with or without reduction).

NEO-desmos provides a new technique that allows the spine to be fused with less morbidity.

NEO-desmos Stand-Alone PLIF cage is made of Black Titanium and coated with Hydroxyapatite offering excellent biocompatibility. It is CT-and MRI compatible and sterilized.

NEO-desmos expands from 1 to 3,5 heights by a tightening cylinder roller mechanism with stop between the upper and lower plate. Each height corresponds to 4 degrees augmentation of the plates’ cornering and the total expandability of 15 degrees assures the restoration of the natural spine lordosis.

There is a locking system that prevents any rotation in the intervertebral space.

NEO-desmos has jagged surfaces and anchoring pins at the end of each plate for perfect fixation but rounded angles for smooth placing without harming the nerves.

NEO-desmos is available in two types with or without special canal for bone graft input. It comes in 4 height dimensions of 7, 9, 11 and 13 mm x 24mm x 10mm.

Two NEO-desmos are implanted in each level offering excellent fixation without need of additional instrumentation or post-operative back braces for support.

Available sterile/ non-sterile

Advantages of NEO-desmos:

• Controlled and changeable cage’s spread and distraction during the operation
• Lower risk of sliding and shifting
• Considerable reduction in surgery and patient recovery time
• User friendly instrumentation

TRANSFORAMINAL LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSION (TLIF) is a well - accepted advanced approach for spinal fusion surgery suitable for the treatment of disc prolapse, discogenic back pain, Lumbar canal and/or lateral recess stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, where conservative treatments have failed. The Tlif approach avoids significant retraction of the dura and nerve roots which exposes the nerves to a lower risk of injury and also requires less muscle retraction. NEO T-desmos  offers a highly stable, anatomical solution for restoration of intervertebral disc height, specifically designed to accept bonegraft and maximize bone growth.
                     
NEO T-desmos is biocompatible,made of peek, a naturally radiolucent polymer which provides optimal radiographic visualization with imaging techniques such as X-Ray, MRI, CT

NEO T-desmos is anatomically shaped and available in two types with 2° or 5° Lordosis. The jagged surfaces facilitate stable fixation.

NEOTdesmos advantages:

•          Innovative insertion instrument
•          2° & 5° Lordosis available
•          Stable fixation
•          Large cavities for bone graft

Antibacterial Silver Screw System NEO-dessis is a pedicle screw system which is used for the treatment of degenerative or pathologic disc diseases, trauma (fracture or dislocation), spinal stenosis, deformities or curvatures (i.e. scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis), tumor, spondylolisthesis, pseudoarthrosis and failed previous fusion to achieve an artificial stabilization.

NEO-dessis is made of Titanium Alloy 6AL-4V offering excellent biocompatibility. It is CT-and MRI compatible.

NEO-dessis implants are colored black to reduce light reflection under microscope. A unique and high tech coated feature of antibacterial nanoparticules silver ions sets NEO-dessis as a leading pedicle screw system. Silver, which is the basic characteristic of the system, has antibacterial attributes which reduce the infection rate and risk.

NEO-dessis is composed of black color low profile tulipes of 14mm, pedicle screws, revision screws, spondylolisthesis reduction screws, transverse connector, hook, rod and set screw deviders and connectors. Pedicle screws are available in 2 forms, Monoaxial and Polyaxial.

Transverse connectors are available in 2 types Mono and Multiaxial. Multiaxial Transverse Connectors allow 3600 angulation and both Mono and Multiaxial connectors are compatible with pedicle screws allowing a strong fixation to prevent rotation.

The system includes 3 kinds of Hooks, Pedicular Hook, Laminar Hook (Left and Right Angled) and Small Laminar Hook. Other than the feature of an effective fixation with Hook System, Lateral and Domino Connector are the additional features which complete the system.

Advantages of NEO-dessis:

•      Antibacterial Silver Coated System
•      Black color Titanium implants
•      Spondylolisthesis reduction screws
•      Simple and easy instrument set
•      Available sterile/ non-sterile

Product List of NEO-dessis: