FDA Clears Spinal Implant System from Oxford Performance Materials

Oxford Performance Materials Inc. (OPM), a materials and additive manufacturing (3-D printing) company, received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its first-in-kind SpineFab VBR implant system.

According to the company, SpineFab is the “first and only” FDA cleared 3-D printed load-bearing polymer device for long-term implantation. It is 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, CEO and chairman of the South Windsor, Conn.-based firm. “This clearance serves as further confirmation of our ability to repeatedly build fully functional 3-D-printed parts and mission critical robust structures. The introduction of our SpineFab system represents exciting news for 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. “Today we have achieved our goal to build the first 3-D-printed polymer implant that has been cleared for a load bearing indication. Our OsteoFab process, which combines 3-D 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 printed in 48 sizes by OPM Biomedical, an original equipment manufacturer of medical devices. By using only biocompatible polymer and laser light, the OsteoFab laser sintering additive manufacturing process is an extremely clean implant production method, company officials claim. All SpineFab implants will be manufactured by OPM using the company’s OsteoFab process, which combines OPM’s exclusive 3-D printing technology with the its proprietary OXPEKK powder formulation to print orthopedic and neurological implants. The result is 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.

OPM has developed a range of advanced materials technology focused on the high performance polymer, poly-ether-ketone-ketone, or PEKK.