Pullout strength of a biodegradable free form osteosynthesis plate.

The Inion(®) Free Form Plate is a newly designed biodegradable plate. After drilling through the plate and tapping, a biodegradable screw can be inserted, followed by removal of the screw head. As an alternative a countersink screw can be used.

Fixation properties of a biodegradable "free-form" osteosynthesis plate.

The Inion FreedomPlate, a "free-form" osteosynthesis plate, is a biodegradable plate with just pilot holes for drilling. The construction of the plate allows the surgeon a placement of screws in optimal position. The screw heads can either be countersunk into the plate or cut off.

Bioabsorbable miniplating versus metallic fixation for metacarpal fractures.

Bioabsorbable implants offer an attractive alternative to metallic implants to stabilize small bone fractures in the hand. Self-reinforced bioabsorbable miniplating for metacarpal fractures was studied in bones from cadavers and compared with standard metallic fixation methods. One hundred twelve fresh-frozen metacarpals from humans had three-point bending and torsional loading after transverse osteotomy followed by fixation using seven methods: (1) dorsal and (2) dorsolateral 2-mm self-reinforced polylactide-polyglycolide 80/20 plating, (3) dorsal and (4) dorsolateral 2-mm self-reinforced poly-L/DL-lactide 70/30 plating, (5) dorsal 1.