Minneapolis, MN – Minnesota Rubber and Plastics announced that it was named supplier for a 2009 Medical Design Excellence Award winning product. The award was given for company’s work with Vertebral Technologies, Inc. (VTI), of Minnetonka, Minnesota in manufacturing the Interfuse interbody fusion device.

The Interfuse is a unique implantable spinal device that reduces surgical invasiveness while allowing surgeons to optimize the area available for fusion. Minnesota Rubber and Plastics’ engineering staff worked closely with Vertebral Technologies during the development cycle of the Interfuse. The device is designed with a novel rail delivery system that reduces the size of surgical openings while offering a custom fit to the patient. Minnesota Rubber & Plastics designed the tooling, and injection molds the device from PEEK-OPTIMA®, a biocompatible polymer.

The Medical Design Excellence Awards competition is organized and presented by Canon Communications LLC (Los Angeles). It is the only awards program that exclusively recognizes contributions and advances in the design of medical products. Entries are evaluated on the basis of their design and engineering features, including innovative use of materials, and user-related functions that improve healthcare delivery and change traditional medical attitudes or practices. These features provide enhanced benefits to the patient and the ability of the product development team to overcome design and engineering challenges so that the product meets its clinical objectives.

“We are honored that our contributions to Vertebral Technologies have been recognized,” stated Aron Yngve, director of medical marketing at Minnesota Rubber and Plastics. “We are pleased to have played a role in making this MDEA winner.”

The 2009 Medical Design Excellence Award winners will be honored at a ceremony during the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East Conference and Exposition, June 9-11, 2009, in New York.

Minnesota Rubber and Plastics
www.mnrubber.com

::Design World::