Amedica: future Cervical ADR, ceramic

[Slackwater]

http://www.amedicacorp.com/


Amedica uses "silicon nitride ceramic technology" for its Cervical artifical disc.
Cervical artificial disc IDE (investigational device exemption) may start in 200?. Amedica
develops products for spine, hips and knees. Fusion spacers, small stuff, will
be the first product(s) to market.

Net result is favorable for a medium to long term ADR solution time frame wise
from what I read/heard in an analyst presentation. A login is required to see
the presentation and I identified myself as a patient for access.

The ~interesting silicon nitride ceramic points / factors:
<LI>Reduced wear debris
<LI>Biocompatible
<LI>Strength / toughness
<LI>Favorable imaging (ghost-like appearance, ~amazing)

Biointegration was brought up; it's porous so it promotes bone ingrowth.

What the dickens is silicon nitride ceramic I asked myself. Turns
out the material this special ceramic is used in Aerospace, turbines
impellers, ... Formula 1 Racing, engines, transmissions, ...
Comparing the ceramic to PEEK it appears to have advantages.

Bottom Line: for ADR material it may reduce the bio-burden of wear debris.

Limited view of a lay person given above, not medically trained.

[annapurna]

One note about toughness, which from the engineering standpoint isn't the same thing as strength, silicon nitride isn't as tough as the metals used but is likely to be much stronger than them. Obviously both the ceramic and metal are stronger and tougher than PE but both are less compliant so the heavier shock loads in the L-spine might be problematic for the ceramic design.