KLS Martin's SonicWeld Rx Changing the Face of Craniomaxillofacial Plate Fixation

TORONTO, Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, US craniomaxillofacial plate and screw market growth will be driven by uptake of new resorbable polymers and novel implantation techniques. KLS Martin's SonicWeld Rx™ system has garnered significant attention from surgeons and industry alike in the United States and will contribute notably to market growth through 2015.

The system uses 100% amorphous noncrystalline Resorb-x® polymer plates made of poly-D-L-lactic acid. Ultrasound energy is then used to insert resorbable pins into predrilled holes. The thermal energy generated by ultrasound melts and molds the polymer, enabling three-dimensional anchorage of the plate to the bony defect being treated.

"In the past, many plating systems required self-tapping screws, thereby increasing the difficulty and operative time associated with the procedure," says Arun Jaganathan, Analyst at MRG. "KLS Martin's SonicWeld Rx™ eliminates this process by instead using ultrasound energy to guide rapid pin insertion. This allows the polymer material of the pins to flow into the trabecular structures of the bone, reducing the risk of pin breakage and imparting superior fixation stability."

The polymer used in KLS Martin's SonicWeld Rx™ system has also been shown to retain fixation strength up to 10 weeks after implantation, with complete resorption between 16 and 30 months after surgery. This ensures that a rigid fixation device is still in place during the reossification period—generally 6 to 8 weeks after surgery—while still eliminating the risk of palpation. As a result, surgeons are becoming increasingly aware of the ease and adaptability of using this system. This will act as a strong catalyst for the craniomaxillofacial plate fixation market, particularly so for pediatric indications.

MRG's US Markets for Craniomaxillofacial Devices 2011 report provides critical insight into emerging trends that will fuel product adoption and market growth for craniomaxillofacial plates and screws, bone graft substitutes, cranial flap repair devices, distraction osteogenesis devices, and temporomandibular joint replacement devices through 2015. Additionally, the report provides a comprehensive breakdown of procedure volumes, unit sales, average selling prices, and revenues by device type. This report includes five-year forecasts, up-to-date market shares, and in-depth qualitative insights.

About Millennium Research Group

Millennium Research Group (www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources, Inc. company (www.DecisionResourcesInc.com), is the global authority on medical technology market intelligence and the leading provider of strategic information to the healthcare sector. The company provides specialized industry expertise through multiclient market research, ongoing Marketrack™ projects, customer behavior tracking, facility-level procedure forecasting, and customized solutions.

About Decision Resources, Inc.

Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information, and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE Millennium Research Group