In order to treat fractures surgically, the doctor needs implants that not only provide optimum support, but can also be easily removed once the fracture has healed. To guarantee the smooth surface of the implants required here, the manufacturer ITS. GmbH from Laßnitzhöhe near Graz in Austria successfully uses the Surfcom Touch 50 measuring device from the Munich-based company Accretech.
It is enough to slip and fall awkwardly and the bone is already broken. In the case of complicated fractures, the injured person cannot avoid an operation. Implants in the form of nails, screws and anatomically shaped plates, for example, provide the necessary stability. These aids must meet high standards, as the implant in question usually has to be removed after healing, and the smoother its surface, the better.
Anodizing with a biocompatible oxide layer
To ensure a sufficiently smooth surface and biocompatibility, the implant manufacturer ITS. has recently started anodizing the implants in-house in order to work more effectively and offer the required quality. During anodizing, the titanium implants are coated with a very smooth, biocompatible oxide layer that smoothes out micropores and the finest cracks, thus reducing possible integration into the bone tissue and the dreaded cold welding of screws. "In order to guarantee the smoothest possible surface of the implants, we use the Surfcom Touch 50 from Accretech to determine the surface roughness of the implants before and after anodizing," reports Lukas Feichtenschlager, Product Manager at ITS.
Fast measurement even in hard-to-reach areas
A major advantage is that the mobile surface measurement can be carried out directly during production. Screwing is often combined with other procedures, e.g. with lag screws through a plate. Such a plate is made of grade 2 titanium, but the screws are made of a harder titanium alloy. This means that the holes do not need threads. If a locking screw is used, it creates a thread in the plate itself. Nothing is cut and therefore no dirt is created in the wound during the operation.
To guarantee the smooth surfaces of the implants, they are measured before and after anodizing at predefined measuring points using the Surfcom Touch 50 from Accretech. Thanks to its free touch system, even areas that are difficult to access can be measured, which is a great advantage as implants often have irregular anatomical shapes and therefore rarely have flat surfaces. Around 3 parts are tested per minute.
"We bought the device because it has a good price-performance ratio and in this price range the device is unbeatable. In addition, the system is easy to operate and can be operated with a short training period for the employee," summarizes Lukas Feichtenschlager. He also points out that the measurement data not only guarantees the high quality of the implants, but also forms a basis for the research and development of new implants. IST. will soon be launching a new hip nail on the market.
Some specifications must be observed
The confirmed quality of the implants depends on the correct use of the measuring equipment and the selected measuring strategy, and this includes more than just the right choice of probe. As dust deposits or lubricant residues on the surface distort the measurements, the user must ensure that the probes are well maintained and have clean surfaces. Factors such as temperature, humidity or possible sources of vibration also influence the measurement result. The environmental conditions must therefore be checked in advance, as customers rely on the measurement results being correct, i.e. the implants being sufficiently smooth, because ultimately the patient's well-being depends on this.
The quality of the implants depends on the correct use of the measuring equipment and the chosen measuring strategy
It is practical for ITS. to be able to measure the workpieces directly in production thanks to mobile surface measurement. Individual parameters and measuring conditions for different workpieces can be stored in the device memory and called up as required. Switching between workpieces is quick and uncomplicated and a large area of production can be covered.
In order to be able to offer precisely fitting implants for surgical fracture treatment in the future, ITS. is conducting research with surgeons to optimally adapt the geometry and properties of the implants to the possible therapies. "With our dedicated focus on developing and expanding our portfolio of implants and our range of services, our goal is to soon be able to serve more than 90 % of all trauma indications. And the Surfcom Touch 50 is indispensable here," reports Lukas Feichtenschlager.
Easy to use thanks to a smart user interface
Thanks to a powerful detector, the measuring system offers high resolution over the largest measuring range in its class. The probe can be changed to suit deep, long or small holes as well as round surfaces so that different types of workpieces can be measured with ease, ideal for checking irregular, anatomically shaped implants.
The Z-axis measuring range is 1000 µm to 2000 µm, with a minimum resolution of 0.0001 μm. There is no need for time-consuming alignment of the workpieces. The device not only measures flat surfaces, but also detects the roughness or waviness of stepped or round surfaces with a single measuring track. Leveling and zeroing before measurement is also possible without any problems. Measurements of vertical surfaces, overhead measurements and measurements of narrow areas are also possible.
The transportable, compact feed unit is easy to install, offers an X-axis measuring range of 50 mm, a guidance accuracy of 0.3 μm/50 mm and a vertical positioning range of the detector of 50 mm. Reliable positioning at constant speed is made possible by operating the feed unit in the X direction from the amplifier screen.
The self-explanatory screen makes it easy to set measurement conditions, perform calibration, measurement and analysis safely and makes operation simple and intuitive. The instruction manual itself is designed like a manual for household appliances. A quick reference illustrates the basic steps so that the user does not have to write down written procedures.
A total of 15 measurement conditions and 20 measurement results can be stored in the Surfcom Touch evaluation unit
USB/micro-USB connections are available as standard. A total of 15 measurement conditions and 20 measurement results can be stored in the Surfcom Touch evaluation unit. For more, a USB memory can be connected to the standard USB port. The evaluation unit is also equipped with a micro USB port and measurement data can be transferred to the computer and evaluated using a USB cable. This is an advantage for ITS. because it means that there is always sufficient storage space and data processing capacity available when large amounts of data are generated during the development of new implants.
Photos: Accretech
