Study Outlines Potential Benefits of Surface Technology from Titan Spine

A new study published in the clinical publication The Spine Journal seems to indicate that implant surface technology from Titan Spine promotes superior production of angiogenic growth factors as compared with PEEK (polyetheretherketone) and smooth titanium alloy materials.

According to Titan Spine, a medical device surface technology company focused on developing spinal interbody fusion implants, the in-vitro research, currently available on Journal’s website and awaiting publication in an upcoming issue, demonstrated an approximate 100 percent increase in production of key angiogenic factors from osteoblast cells cultured on the Titan Spine surface versus PEEK.

The study, titled “Rough titanium alloys regulate osteoblast production of angiogenic factors,” compared the production of osteogenic (bone formation) and angiogenic (blood vessel formation) growth factors by human osteoblast cells cultured on PEEK, smooth titanium alloy, and Titan Spine’s roughened titanium alloy surface.

The authors of the study, led by Barbara Boyan, Ph.D., dean of the School of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University, concluded that, “This experimental study demonstrates that the [Titan Spine surface] stimulates an angiogenic-osteogenic environment with factors important in bone formation and remodeling. This osteogenic environment may enhance bone formation, implant stability and fusion.”

Paul Slosar, M.D., medical director of Titan Spine, said: “We are very encouraged about the results of this study. Successful bony fusion will only take place in an environment where bone growth and vascularization can occur. A growing fusion cannot sustain itself if it does not have adequate blood supply to provide nutrients and remove metabolic waste. Until now, research has been primarily focused on bone growth factors while angiogenic factors have been largely overlooked. This study provides evidence that the Titan Spine proprietary surface technology creates a far greater environment for angiogenesis when compared to PEEK, and serves as an adjunct to our previous research that showed similar advantages for bone growth factors. Our growing body of research continues to demonstrate that these unique implants stimulate a superior bone-forming response when compared to other common interbody device materials, and continues to position Titan Spine as the leader in surface technology.”

Boyan added that her team’s research showed that changes in implant surface structures at the micron and submicron levels have “a significant impact” on the bone formation response that is created.

“It is not enough to simply create a roughened texture at the macro level, as this has little to no effect on the behavior of an individual bone-forming cell,” she explained. “It is the structure of the surface at the micron and submicron levels that hold the key. I am pleased to collaborate with Titan Spine as the company continues to optimize their current and future surface technologies to benefit the spinal fusion patient.”

The study can be found here.

Titan Spine is llocated in Mequon, Wis., and Laichingen, Germany.