Oxford Performance Materials, Inc. (OPM; https://oxfordpm.com/), an industry leader in advanced polymer science, 3D-printed orthopedic devices and coating technologies is pleased to announce an agreement to assist Orthopedic Help for Ukraine (OHFU) – a non-profit addressing the needs of orthopedic and surgery departments of Ukrainian hospitals – by manufacturing and delivering 3D printed custom implants along with suture anchors with instrument sets to front line hospitals treating people injured in the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
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OHFU partner hospitals are receiving a massive influx of patients with critical bone defects from war-related trauma. Many of these injuries involve complex bone reconstruction, requiring rapid response patient-specific orthopedic solutions and materials with appropriate biocompatibility and purity. The nature of these traumatic injuries demand implants that are demonstrated to integrate with bone and have antibacterial properties to manage infection.
“A key part of OHFU’s mission is to identify new technologies and capabilities to rapidly treat a high rate of complex bone defect war injuries that result in a very high level of amputations,” said Janine Ignatenko, Executive Director of OHFU. “The current technologies available for the specific needs of our hospital partners are limited, and we have been investigating 3D printed implant technologies as a potential solution. After a review of a range of articles and peer reviewed studies, we reached out to OPM, the world’s only provider of 3D printed PEKK polymer biomedical implants, with a demonstrated focus on complex patient-specific trauma cases.”
OPM CEO Scott DeFelice commented, “OPM has been treating complex orthopedic trauma for over a decade, worldwide. Our technology utilizes a proprietary implantable PEKK polymer and 3D printing technology to manufacture patient specific implants, individually designed to fit perfectly into critical bone defects and then seamlessly integrate with the natural bone. Our PEKK material also has demonstrated antibacterial and antiviral properties. When OHFU reached out and showed us their enormous, complex case-load, our team was inspired, and we understood that we were uniquely positioned to impact their mission, improve case results and reduce amputations.”
Janine Ignatenko continued, “Surgeons in our hospital network also have a dire need for suture anchors for re-attaching soft tissue to bone. OPM’s suture anchor solution is perfect for our circumstances, providing bone ongrowth, inherent antibacterial characteristics, and low unit cost. In addition, OPM’s instrument sets are sterilizable and re-useable – an important benefit for our hospital partners. “Scott’s team has jumped in,” Ingatenko added. “OPM has shipped, pro-bono, an initial delivery of suture anchors and instruments and has already initiated the process toward a first patient specific implant case. OPM is a small company making a substantial commitment to be an ongoing supplier of pro-bono implants to OHFU partner surgeons. However, our caseload is tremendous, and our hope is to get individuals and organizations to provide support to our foundation so we can procure substantial volumes of products and services from OPM and other companies on a discounted basis. Finally, we recognize the unique nature of our ongoing clinical experience, and we will be providing clinically relevant data to support surgeons and patients in future global conflicts.”
To help support OHFU’s ongoing efforts to aid Ukrainian war victims, please donate directly at OHFU Donate Now.
About Orthopedic Help for Ukraine (OHFU)
Orthopedic Help for Ukraine (OHFU) was established as a non-profit humanitarian organization – a charity fund assisting Ukrainian hospitals to provide surgery, health care and recovery services to save the lives and address quality of life needs of the victims of the Russian invasion. Established in May 2022 by volunteers and doctors, OHFU is a nonprofit with no political or religious affiliation working to ensure rapid and flexible funding and supply of medical equipment, disposables and medicines to Ukrainian hospitals that are working tirelessly to provide surgical procedures and treatment utilizing high-quality implants and prostheses. OHFU also helps relieve pressure on the European public health system by aiding the funding and provision of medications, diagnostic means, disposable and consumable materials, spare parts and/or necessary medical equipment and supplies to the orthopedic and surgical departments of Ukrainian hospitals that provide healthcare and emergency services to patients in critical condition.
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