A before and after of a patient with a custom implant.
While some implants take multiple surgeries and years of healing, one company has developed easy-to-use implants. Patient-specific implants are made to match the anatomy of a patient, ensuring an aesthetically pleasing result and less recovery time.
Netherlands-based Xilloc offers patient-specific implants that are frequently used in neuro, orthopedic, craniomaxillofacial, trauma, and plastic surgeon fields. The implants are made to match the anatomy of the patient, making placement easy.
Because the surgeon just has to place and fixate the implant, surgery is quick, easy and safe. The cost of the surgery is reduced because of decreased hospitalization for the patient and a lower chance of revision surgery. The reduced surgery time also reduces the risk of infection.
The surgeon gives input on implantation shape, spacing, holes, fixations and materials. Xilloc uses high-speed milling and 3D printing and a variety of materials, such as PEEK, PMMA, Titanium and UHMW-PE, to create the implant. The patented InterFix technology fixates the implant with tangential screws. The screw holes, direction and depth are preplanned, and the holes are included on the implant. All a surgeon has to do is drill through the holes before fixing it.
The InterFix technology engraves screw length next to the fixation holes. For example, if a 7 is engraved, the hole will require a 7 mm screw. The technology advises surgeons on optimal screw length and indicates maximal screw length at positions where a surgeon should avoid critical structures. The screw falls directly into the implant, which means the fixation should not be visible or palpable. Surgeons are also able to use the most comfortable screw set. Xilloc’s InterFix technology ensures they will fit in the custom implant.
The patient-specific implant fit perfectly into place.
Xilloc can also provide a physical, 3D anatomical model before surgery, along with a model implant, so surgeons can test the implant and find possible hidden issues before the surgery.
Surgical guides are small, customized tools that guide a saw or drill in a planned direction that can also be ordered. The guide fits on a predetermined part of the bone, making sure to cut and drill in the right place, under the right angle and to the right depth. They can be used to cut a precise piece of bone or position bone parts in the right way.
Xilloc’s products can be ordered online through their MedX ordering system. Scans of CT or CBCTs, adhering to the scan protocol of 1 mm slice distance, are uploaded online. A surgeon must go through two input/validation steps to ensure the ideal implant. The implant usually arrives three weeks later, by default.
