Radiolucent Pedicle Screw System Revolutionizes Care for Cancer Patients

ALTSTAETTEN, Switzerland, September 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

icotec AG, an innovative technology company focused on creating and manufacturing new products from Carbon/PEEK composites, revolutionizes spinal care for cancer patients.

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"For the first time, radiotherapists, spinal surgeons and patients have a revolutionary treatment alternative to traditional, metal pedicle screws.  The icotec Carbon/PEEK spinal system enables artifact-minimized planning and optimized application of radiation therapy to treat spinal tumors," says Roger Stadler, CEO of icotec AG.

Mr. Stadler continues, "The radiolucent, non-metallic Carbon/PEEK spinal system from icotec is first of its kind in the world. This system is CE-marked since 2013 and has successfully implanted over 500 Carbon/PEEK pedicle screws in patients with degenerative spinal pathologies and spinal tumors.  To substantiate the clinical benefits of this Carbon/PEEK pedicle screw system, we have initiated a prospective, multicenter clinical study in 2014."

For spinal tumor treatment, radiation therapy plays an important role in pain management, the local treatment of spinal tumors and the prevention of pathologic fractures. Before administering radiation therapy, the radiologist relies on accurate CT or MRI images to plan the radiation dose. However, when metal spinal implants are present, these implants can cause artifact on the planning images. This artifact makes it more difficult to delineate anatomic structures during radiation therapy planning and correctly calculate the proper dose distributions.

During radiation therapy, metal spinal implants may also shield remaining tumor cells from the curing radiation. In addition, metal implants induce scattering of the radiation beams into the surrounding soft tissue potentially causing side effects. In some cases, patients may not be candidates for radiation therapy because of the presence of metal implants.^[1]

About 30% of all cancer patients will develop bone metastases and the spine is affected in approximately 70% of these patients.

1. Friedrich, R. E., Todrovic, M., & Krüll, A. (2010). Simulation of Scattering Effects of Irradiation on Surroundings Using the Example of Titanium Dental Implants  Anticancer Research, 30, 1727-1730.

About icotec

Founded in 1999, icotec AG is engaged in the design, development and manufacturing of Carbon/PEEK composites to create high strength components for various applications, including medical devices, automotive and aerospace technology. The company is headquartered in Altstaetten, Switzerland.

For further information, please contact info@icotec.ch , +41-71-757-00-00 or visit the website http://www.icotec.ch