Stanmore Implants (“Stanmore”), specialists in the design
and manufacture of implants for complex orthopaedic reconstructions, announces
it has received a European CE mark for its ionic silver treated massive endoprosthesis
tumour system (“METS”) modular implant system. Silver-treated implants have
been shown to materially reduce infection rates in patients undergoing surgery.
The METS modular implant system is a ready to use modular
kit, with interlocking junctions, which is quick and easy to assemble during
surgery. Stanmore manufactures METS systems for a number of orthopaedic
skeletal locations including the femur, tibia, knee, pelvis and humerus. It is
estimated that, globally, c. 15,000 patients receive modular implants every
year and this market is valued at £120-150 million and growing at an annual
rate of approximately 10%.
Silver is a well known anti-microbial agent and Stanmore has
incorporated it in around 400 of its custom-made implants (where the implants
are tailor made for each individual patient) over the last five years. In
Stanmores procedures using silver, the infection rates have been significantly
reduced comparative to non-silver treated custom limb sparing implants that
historically have an infection rate of around 11%. Infection is currently the
most common serious complication of endoprotheses and may result in the
amputation of patients limbs. In addition, the cost of treating an infected
prosthesis is considerable and infections often recur.
Stanmore has the exclusive, long term licence to Accentus
Medicals Agluna® silver surface modification technology for use in custom made
limb sparing implants and patient specific joint replacements. The technology
uses a patented anodising process, where the surface is modified through the
stitching of ‘silver into the upper layer of the titanium alloys. This surface
modification eliminates the delaminating effect found in silver coatings whilst
significantly reducing the amount of silver required.
Brian Steer, Executive Chairman of Stanmore, said, “With
infection being a major burden on the healthcare system and often leading to
avoidable amputations, we are delighted to secure approval for our silver
treated METS system.”
“There is increasing evidence to support silvers
anti-microbial properties and incorporating it into our METS system puts
Stanmore in a very strong competitive position. We expect to see demand rapidly
increase and we look forward to working with doctors around the world to help
improve the lives of patients.”
Stanmore currently sells its METS devices in more than 16
countries worldwide.
Posted by Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief, MDT