RTI Surgical, a global surgical implant company, has introduced TETRAfuse 3D Technology, providing surgeons a solution they have been seeking.

From the beginning, surgeons have had to choose between bone in-growth, radiolucency or mechanical strength when selecting a spinal interbody implant.

TETRAfuse 3D Technology is the first 3D printed polymer implant material that has demonstrated trabecular bone ingrowth while maintaining radiolucency and bone-like mechanical properties1.

“The 3D printing process creates a nano-rough surface on every aspect of the implant, not just the endplates,” noted Robert Watkins IV, M.D. of Marina Spine Center in Marina Del Ray, Calif. “This nano-rough surface facilitates bony ingrowth throughout the disc space from endplate to endplate, allowing deeper implant osseointegration.”

TETRAfuse 3D Technology was developed to offer surgeons an interbody material that participates in the fusion process while maintaining bone-like mechanical properties and radiolucent imaging.

Bringing these features together combines the osseointegrative advantages of titanium and allograft bone with the benefits surgeons experience with PEEK. RTI will soon announce the release of a family of products manufactured with TETRAfuse 3D Technology, providing a platform that will have many derivative products.

“We are excited about the promise this cutting-edge technology holds for our surgeon customers and their patients,” said Camille Farhat, RTI chief executive officer.

 “Being the first to offer surgeons a 3D printed interbody polymer optimized to participate in fusion marks another significant milestone for RTI in our quest to continuously deliver relevant and innovative products without compromise.”