WHAT'S NEW
As aging baby boomers' joints erode, the need for strong, stable orthopaedic implants soars. To satisfy demand from makers of implants for stronger materials, DSM Dyneema (Urmond, Netherlands; www.dyneema.com) has developed the Purity UG grade polyethylene fibre. It is 25% stronger than the original Purity SGX product, according to the firm, and will have its global launch at the World Biomaterials Congress at the end of May.
The fibre's enhanced creep resistance supports the development of implants that retain their performance over a longer period of time than existing materials. It is available in densities of 110, 220, and 440 decitex.
The product has been fully tested for genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, sensitization/irritation, haemocompatibility, pyrogenicity, and mutagenicity according to ISO standards.
DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema, which is reportedly the world's strongest fibre. It will introduce the new material grade at the eighth annual World Biomaterials Congress (www.wbc2008.com). The event is sponsored by the European Society for Biomaterials, the Netherlands Society for Biomaterials, and Tissue Engineering and International Conference Services BV. It will be held May 28 through June 1 at the RAI International Convention Centre in Amsterdam .
