Advancing Orthopedic Surgery with Single-Use Instruments
Syensqo is contributing significantly to advancements in healthcare through its high-performance polymer, Ixef® PARA. This material is instrumental in the transition towards single-use instrumentation in orthopedic procedures. ECA Medical, known for its expertise in med-tech torque limiters and sterile procedure kits for instruments and implants, is actively involved in this shift. The adoption of single-use instruments is poised to enhance the efficiency and safety of orthopedic surgeries, marking a notable development in medical practices.
The Evolution of Medical Instruments
Imagine visiting a healthcare provider for an injection or blood draw, and a reusable needle paired with a glass syringe is used to perform the procedure. This was the standard of care until the mid to late 1950s when the risks of cross-contamination and contracting diseases like hepatitis B were recognized. The introduction of innovative plastics and manufacturing methods revolutionized the industry, leading to the universal adoption of disposable syringes and needles. Today, most items that touch the sterile field in operating rooms are disposable, except in orthopedics. However, this is changing rapidly, thanks to material and design advancements from companies like Syensqo and ECA Medical.
The movement of orthopedic procedures to Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and outpatient settings is accelerating. New billing codes are even enabling certain procedures to be performed in doctors' offices. These centers and offices often lack the sterilization capacity to handle large cases and trays of reusable instruments. This shift creates operational and financial challenges for healthcare providers and implant companies responsible for supplying these instruments.
The Rise of Ambulatory and Outpatient Surgery Centers
The movement of orthopedic procedures to Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and outpatient settings is accelerating. New billing codes are even enabling certain procedures to be performed in doctors' offices. These centers and offices often lack the sterilization capacity to handle large cases and trays of reusable instruments. This shift creates operational and financial challenges for healthcare providers and implant companies responsible for supplying these instruments.
The Cost and Efficiency of Single-Use Instruments
A single set of reusable metal instruments can consist of one to 11 trays, with costs ranging from $15,000 to over $100,000. These instruments are not sold to hospitals or ASCs; instead, they are provided by the implant manufacturer on consignment or as loaner equipment. This arrangement necessitates costly logistics support, has a high carbon footprint, and is depreciated over three years on the company's balance sheet.
Sterilizing these trays can take up to six hours or more, depending on capacity and volume. In some ASCs, same-day turnaround is not feasible, necessitating multiple sets for surgeons to perform multiple procedures in a single day. Delays or cancellations of surgeries can occur due to backups in the sterile processing department (SPD), wet instruments, or incomplete sets.
Conversely, single-use instruments, particularly those made from Syensqo's Ixef® PARA, offer a more efficient and cost effective solution, enabling quicker operating room turnover and allowing surgeons and healthcare providers to perform more procedures daily. This model also enables implant manufacturers to serve more surgeons, centers, and patients.
Cost Savings and Safety Benefits
Healthcare providers can achieve substantial cost savings by utilizing single-use instruments. These savings are realized through reduced sterilization expenses, more efficient tray management, faster operating room turnover, and a decrease in surgical site infections (SSIs). Single-use instruments, such as those manufactured from Ixef® PARA, maintain a consistently pristine, sharp, clean, and sterile condition, thereby eliminating the necessity for costly spare and repair programs. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes to improved patient outcomes.
Environmental Considerations
Concerns about the environmental impact of single-use instruments are often raised. However, given the significant water consumption required for sterilizing reusable instruments, single-use instruments present a sustainable alternative. Furthermore, with appropriate segregation and handling, there are opportunities to repurpose single-use materials in other industries, enhancing their overall environmental benefits.
Case Study: Sacroiliac Joint Stabilization
ECA Medical and Syensqo collaborated to develop a more efficient delivery system for Sacroiliac Joint (SI) stabilization. The SI Joint is a critical structure in the human body that connects the sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of the spine, to the bones of the pelvis. The SI joint can cause severe pain when destabilized. A procedure involving the insertion of a screw or biologic wedge to fuse the joint is gaining popularity. This procedure is ideal for single-use instruments, especially in ASCs or office settings.
The challenge was to create an economical, robust instrumentation system capable of withstanding the forces required to access the tight joint space. Ixef® PARA high-performance polymer was chosen for its metal-like strength, ease of manufacturing through injection molding, light weight, and economic feasibility. This aromatic nylon is known for its excellent flow characteristics and aesthetic quality, even when highly reinforced with fiberglass. The material provides high stiffness, with a flexural modulus reaching up to 400 MPa for the 60% glass-filled product. Additionally, its low creep and minimal moisture absorption contribute to long-term reliability. Ixef® PARA's adaptability supports both thin and thick molded part designs and allows for texturing, making it suitable for single-use instruments.
Conclusion
The shift toward single-use instrumentation in orthopedics is driven by the need for greater efficiency, enhanced patient safety, and cost optimization. Syensqo, in collaboration with leading single use instrumentation manufacturers like ECA Medical, are at the forefront of this transformation. By utilizing Syensqo's high-performance materials like Ixef® PARA, robust, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly single-use instruments that address the evolving needs of the healthcare industry are being achieved.
When considering the transition from metal to polymer designs, early involvement of polymer suppliers like Syensqo can streamline the development process and ensure the best outcomes. Together, we can achieve more efficient, high-performance solutions that benefit surgeons, healthcare providers, and patients.
