[July 21, 2014]

Titan Spine Study Wins Whitecloud Award for Best Basic Research at IMAST 2014

Titan Spine, a medical device surface technology company focused on developing innovative spinal interbody fusion implants, today announced that a research paper which evaluated their surface technology was awarded the prestigious Whitecloud Award for Best Basic Science Research from the Scoliosis Research Society. The study results further demonstrate that the company's line of Endoskeleton^® Interbody Devices promote osteoblastic differentiation and enhanced bone-forming environment compared to devices made from polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The paper was presented Thursday, July 17 at the 21^st International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST), held July 16 - 19, 2014 in Valencia, Spain.

The paper, titled "Implant Materials Generate Different Peri-Implant Inflammatory Factors: PEEK Promotes Fibrosis and Micro-textured Titanium Promotes Osteogenic Factors" (Paper #12), was presented by Paul Slosar, M.D., of Spine Care Medical Group in San Francisco and Chief Medical Officer of Titan Spine, in a podium presentation during the session Concurrent Sessions 2A: Whitecloud Basic Research Award Nominees & Top Scoring Abstracts.

Dr. Slosar, commented, "We are honored to have our research recognized with IMAST's prestigious Whitecloud Award for Best Basic Research. Our findings further estblish that the combination of interbody device material and design is essential. The results of this study have great importance to spine surgeons. We now know conclusively that the materials we implant in our patients can stimulate stem cells to behave differently, either promoting bone formation or creating inflammation and fibrosis. Titan Spine is committed to developing implants based on strong science, pioneering efforts to optimize surface technology for the benefit of patients undergoing spinal fusion procedures."

Barbara Boyan, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University, and lead author of the study, said, "Through this research we are better able to understand how implant surface properties influence specific inflammatory micro-environment factors. We found that the titanium alloy surface with a complex micron scale and submicron scale roughness promotes a cellular response that favors bone formation. Conversely, PEEK created an inflammation response that will more likely to lead to fibrous tissue formation."

Previous in-vitro research on Titan Spine's current proprietary surface technology demonstrated a significantly enhanced osteogenic environment when compared to smooth titanium or PEEK. This surface technology, which contains unique topographies at the macro, micro, and sub-micron levels, is featured on the company's line of Endoskeleton^® interbody devices for the cervical and lumbar spine, including the company's recently-launched Endoskeleton^® TL lateral interbody fusion device. Titan's product line is commercially available in the United States and portions of Europe and recently gained market approval in Australia and New Zealand.

About Titan Spine

Titan Spine, LLC is a surface technology company focused on the design and manufacture of interbody fusion devices for the spine. The company is committed to advancing the science of surface engineering to enhance the treatment of various pathologies of the spine that require fusion. Titan Spine, located in Mequon, Wisconsin and Laichingen, Germany, markets a full line of Endoskeleton^® interbody devices featuring its proprietary textured surface in the U.S. and portions of Europe through its sales force and a network of independent distributors. To learn more, visit www.titanspine.com.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]