Medical implants company Proxy Biomedical (Coilleach, Co Galway / Ireland; www.proxybiomedical.com) has developed a new technology for processing resorbable orthopaedic products. The new “Proxy Bio-XT” technology optimises the microstructure of biomaterials to provide greater strength and toughness, paving the way for innovation in implant design, the company said. Potential innovations include: the introduction of resorbable products for new indications; the introduction of highly porous products, facilitating osteo-conductivity for higher quality tissue regeneration; and the introduction of lower profile products.

"Resorbable implants present a number of clinical benefits for orthopaedic applications but their relatively low inherent strength presents a barrier to new product design and limits the adoption of resorbables in new indications," said Kieran Moloney, VP of engineering at Proxy Biomedical. "Proxy Bio-XT presents an excellent opportunity to substantially improve the performance of the resorbable implants that are currently on the market."

Proxy Biomedical said the performance gains are achieved by maximising the biomaterials' inherent mechanical properties, which are compromised during standard processes such as injection moulding and extrusion. “Results conclusively indicate that resorbable implants manufactured using Bio-XT were significantly stronger than predicate devices of identical geometry and material grade, with a torsional strength increase of 102%,” it stated. Bio-XT can be applied to any resorbable polymer or biocomposite blend, enabling its use for improvements to existing products.