AMEDICA Announces Poster Presentation Highlighting Benefits of Silicon Nitride Biomaterial at the 2012 North American Spine Society Annual Meeting

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AMEDICA Corporation, a spinal and reconstructive medical device manufacturer, is pleased to announce that Alpesh Patel , M.D., Associate Professor in the Division of Spine Surgery at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, will present a poster at the North American Spine Society (NASS) Annual Meeting that illustrates the significant advantages of Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) for use in interbody fusion devices compared to (PEEK) and titanium.

The ePoster (#P82), "Decreased Bacterial Count and BioFilm Formation Associated with Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) Materials Used in Interbody Fusion Cages (IBF) Compared to Titanium and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)," reports on recently published peer-reviewed studies conducted at Brown University that demonstrated Silicon Nitride's decreased vulnerability to bacterial colonization and biofilm formation in comparison with PEEK and titanium. These attributes may contribute significantly to achieving optimal patient outcomes in clinical applications.

AMEDICA is also hosting a Surgeon Educational Symposium at the conference.  Bryan McEntire, AMEDICA's Chief Technology Officer, will provide an overview of the published results of the studies conducted at Brown University, and the company's expansion of biomaterial claims for its FDA 510(k)-cleared Valeo® Interbody Fusion Devices. Two leading spine surgeons, Grant Skidmore , M.D. and Mark Crawford , M.D. will also present patient case studies illustrating the use and efficacy of AMEDICA's Silicon Nitride Interbody Fusion Devices to treat patients suffering from back pain requiring spinal fusion surgery. The symposium will be held on Wednesday, October 24^th at 5:30 p.m. CDT at the Adolphus Hotel Century Room, 1321 Commerce Street, Dallas. The Symposium is open to all NASS attendees.

"Spine surgeons are increasingly recognizing the value and benefits of Silicon Nitride for interbody fusion. Material matters and we have scientific, peer-reviewed results that prove Silicon Nitride's ability to promote bone on-growth and minimize patient exposure to infection risk while increasing the potential for fusion in comparison to PEEK and titanium," said Bryan McEntire . "Dr. Skidmore and Dr. Crawford use Silicon Nitride Interbody Fusion Devices to treat patients and truly understand the vast benefits of our technology. Their clinical discussions at our Symposium will help inform other spine specialists about the ability of Silicon Nitride to improve patient care and outcomes."

For additional information or to arrange interviews, please visit AMEDICA at NASS (booth #1638) or visit www.Amedica.com.  

About AMEDICA Corporation:

AMEDICA is an innovative spine and orthopaedic implant and device manufacturing and distribution company that provides advanced surgical applications including silicon nitride ceramic technologies. The company's platform technologies represent a new standard for implants and biologics based on superior performance, safety and efficacy. AMEDICA is a privately held, private equity backed company founded in 1996 by internationally recognized orthopaedic surgeons and ceramicists. The company is ISO 13485 certified, its spine products are FDA cleared, CE marked, and sold in ten countries. AMEDICA Corporation is based in Salt Lake City, UT.

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SOURCE AMEDICA Corporation

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