Pioneer(R) Surgical Technology, Inc. Continues to Prove Science Behind PEEK-on-PEEK(TM) Technology for Motion Preservati...( New 'Wear Study' data to be unvei...),Health

New 'Wear Study' data to be unveiled at the 2008 Orthopedic Research

Society meeting in San Francisco, CA

MARQUETTE, Mich., Feb. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Pioneer Surgical Technology, in collaboration with RUSH University in Chicago, announces significant findings that wear properties of PEEK-on-PEEK (Poly-ether-ether-ketone) are not susceptible to the effects of accelerated aging. The study, "The Effect of Accelerated Aging on the Wear of PEEK for Use in Disc Arthroplasty," bolsters support for the long term durability of Pioneer's signature PEEK-on-PEEK design of disc arthroplasty devices.

Gamma sterilization in combination with in vivo use of Polyethylene (PE), commonly used in today's total joint and disc arthroplasty devices, is more susceptible to oxidation and accelerated aging than PEEK. Oxidative reactions can weaken the Polyethylene polymer and decrease the lifespan of motion preservation devices which may result in unnecessary revision surgery and significant patient risk. Technically challenging revision surgeries can lead to patient/surgeon dissatisfaction and could potentially drive up healthcare costs, over time.

"Motion preservation devices should have long term durability," according to Dr. Chip Bao, Vice President of Spine Development for Pioneer. Bao says, "These types of devices are being increasingly indicated for younger patient populations and should last a lifetime." Dr. Markus Wimmer of RUSH University stated, "A material pairing purely based on polymers allows new imaging technologies. PEEK has been shown to be a very biocompatible polymer. Most motion preservation devices on the market today combine metal on Polyethylene to obtain articulation. PE polymers are known to be susceptible to biodegradation. This research suggests that PEEK-on-PEEK is not."

Articulating PEEK-on-PEEK(TM) technology in the NUBAC motion preservation device is the most technologically advanced design in the industry.
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