This technical information has been contributed by
Oxford Performance Materials
Click here to find suppliers

Oxford Performance Materials Receives FDA Clearance for its SpineFab® VBR Implant System

Company Will Seek to Improve Treatment of Infections Related to Implanted Devices

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn.—Oxford Performance Materials, Inc. (OPM) recently announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its first-in-kind SpineFab® VBR implant system.

OPM’s SpineFab system is claimed to be the first and only FDA cleared 3D printed load-bearing polymer device for long-term implantation and represents OPM’s third successful OsteoFab® regulatory clearance. OPM’s first FDA clearance was for its OsteoFab Patient-Specific Cranial Device in February 2013, followed by its OsteoFab Patient-Specific Facial Device in July 2014.

“Receiving FDA clearance for our SpineFab system is a significant accomplishment for our team and a key milestone for OPM,” said Scott DeFelice, chief executive officer and chairman of Oxford Performance Materials, in a press release. “This clearance serves as further confirmation of our ability to repeatedly build fully functional 3D-printed parts and mission-critical robust structures. The introduction of our SpineFab system represents the company’s entry into the attractive spinal market, and this lays the foundation for future generations of load-bearing OsteoFab implants in the orthopedic industry.”

OPM’s SpineFab device is a vertebral body replacement (VBR) intended for use in the thoracolumbar regions of the spine to replace a collapsed, damaged, or unstable vertebral body due to tumor or trauma. To gain this FDA clearance, OPM’s VBR implant system underwent extensive static and dynamic mechanical testing to assure it meets load and fatigue requirements, as well as regulatory guidelines for its intended use.

“We have built a strategy with the patient in mind by working together with clinicians to bring innovative device solutions that anticipate improved surgical outcomes,” said Severine Zygmont, president of OPM Biomedical, in the release. “Today we have achieved our goal to build the first 3D printed polymer implant that has been cleared for a load bearing indication. Our OsteoFab process, which combines 3D printing with a unique material chemistry, is causing the industry to rethink how implants are designed and manufactured. We can now envision devices that will promote bone tissue formation while being imaging friendly and anatomically desirable.”

OPM’s SpineFab VBR System implants will be 3D printed in 48 sizes by OPM Biomedical, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of medical devices. Using only biocompatible polymer and laser light, the OsteoFab laser sintering additive manufacturing process is an extremely clean implant production method. All SpineFab implants will be manufactured by OPM utilizing the company’s OsteoFab process, which combines OPM’s exclusive 3D printing technology with the company’s proprietary OXPEKK® powder formulation to print orthopedic and neurological implants. The result is what the company calls “a unique and beneficial set of attributes, including radiolucency, bone-like mechanical properties, and bone ongrowth characteristics.”

OPM is currently in discussions with a number of distributors regarding sales channels for its SpineFab VBR system as well as partnership options for orthopedic devices in development. OPM’s OsteoFab Patient-Specific Cranial and Facial devices are distributed exclusively by Zimmer Biomet.

Oxford Performance Materials is active in 3D printing and high performance additive manufacturing (HPAM™), and has developed a range of advanced materials technology focused on the high performance polymer, poly-ether-ketone-ketone (PEKK).