Three Cool Technologies We Saw at Kyocera…
Three Kyocera technologies which are sold exclusively in Japan will, when introduced to U.S. surgeons, we think, trigger thousands of “aha” moments. They are: Aquala, AG-PROTEX and BIOCERAM AZUL.
Aquala – smoother, reduced friction articulation. Imagine (or just look at the embedded video) a better, smoother articulating hip implant. Kyocera’s Aquala hip socket uses hydrophilic and biocompatible polymers that, in effect, create a thin layer of water between ball and socket.
That water layer creates a smoother, reduced friction articulation and less component wear.
Kyocera’s innovative MPC polymer features biomimetic “synthetic phospholipids” that replicate the surface of human cartilage. MPC is the Aquala liner.
Other liners are hydrophobic—they repel water, thereby forcing the ball to articulate directly against the liner surface.
Kyocera’s Aquala with the MPC polymer has an affinity for water (hydrophilic) and so the body’s fluids naturally form a thin layer of water between ball and socket.
In July 2018, Aquala won Japan’s top scientific prize, the “Prize of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.” It was presented to Kyocera during the 2018 National Invention Awards by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.
AG-PROTEX – The chemical symbol for silver is AG. AG-PROTEX is a hydroxyapatite (HA) coated implant which elutes silver ions—very clever.
Silver ions interfere with the ability of planktonic bacteria to adhere to the surface of the implant—thereby reducing the risk of biofilm and ultimately, peri-prosthetic infections.
Silver is a well-known antibacterial agent and is routinely used to treat burns and heal chronic ulcers.
Combining silver with HA is, as we said, clever. HA, of course, is another ceramic which has the well-known effect of improving osseointegration and enhancing the bone-implant interface.
Finally, both of these materials are applied to the implant using Kyocera’s advanced thermal spraying techniques.
