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Stryker’s Spine division, comparing the performance of spinal implants made from a variety of materials, has found that the company's 3D printed porous Tritanium cages offer statistically significant potential for increased bone in-growth.
The purpose of the pre-clinical animal study was to compare the bone in-growth and biomechanical differences of interbody cages with various material technologies in an ovine lumbar interbody fusion model. The study involved cages made with traditional PEEK, plasma-sprayed titanium-coated PEEK, and Stryker’s 3D-printed porous Tritanium.
The results showed that the Tritanium cages, designed for bone in-growth and biological fixation, exhibited significantly greater total bone volume within the graft window at both 8 and 16 weeks compared to the PEEK cages. Tritanium cages also were the only cages that showed a decrease in range of motion and an increase in stiffness across all three loading directions (axial rotation, flexion-extension, and lateral bending) between the 8-week and 16-week time points.
“The results of this study provide an evidence-based approach to decision-making regarding interbody materials for spinal fusion, as there is significant variability in the materials commonly used for interbody cages in spine surgery,” said Sigurd H. Berven, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco. “The study showed the potential for bone in-growth into and around the Tritanium cages.”
“Stryker’s proprietary Tritanium Technology, a novel, highly porous titanium alloy material designed for bone in-growth and biological fixation, is based on additive manufacturing techniques for orthopaedic surgery pioneered by Stryker over 15 years ago,” Michael Carter, vice president and general manager of Stryker’s Spine division said. “This important study reinforces the value of our growing line of Tritanium interbody cages and demonstrates Stryker’s commitment to bringing the latest in advanced technologies to our customers.”
