BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK –
the Better Decision
icotec has developed a material that takes spinal tumor therapy to the next level. Radiolucent and artifact-free BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK expands surgical options and makes decision-making in perioperative management easier.1Fleege et al. (2020): Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Pedicle Screws Reduce Artifacts in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Patients with Lumbar Spondylodesis. Scientific Reports. (PubMed, PMID: 32999385)
More Confident Decision-Making
Spinal tumor therapy is about making the right decision – at the right time. Implants made of BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK increase the reliability of diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Should new or persistent symptoms occur postoperatively, BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK enables clear MRI imaging.2Krätzig et al. (2021): Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced PEEK versus Titanium Implants: An In Vitro Comparison of Susceptibility Artifacts in CT and MR Imaging. Neurosurgical Review. (PubMed, PMID: 32930911)3Kalasauskas et al. (2022): Qualitative Assessment of Titanium versus Carbon Fiber/Polyetheretherketone Pedicle Screw-Related Artifacts: A Cadaveric Study. World Neurosurgery. (PubMed, PMID: 35803562)
With BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK
- the visibility on radiographic imaging is clear,
- a clear diagnosis is possible,
- no superfluous imaging and diagnostic exposures to radiation is necessary,
- perioperative complications can be effectively addressed and non-indicated revisions avoided.
The Perfect Combination of Surgery and Radiation Therapy
BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK implants allow unrestricted stereotactic irradiation.4Henzen et al. (2022): Feasibility of Postoperative Spine Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Proximity of Carbon and Titanium Hybrid Implants Using a Robotic Radiotherapy Device. Radiation Oncology. (PubMed, PMID: 35549961)5Schmidhalter D. et al. (2020): Dosimetric Analysis of Spine SBRT in Case of CFR-PEEK Implants. Annual SASRO MeetingThis enables the perfect combination of minimally invasive separation surgery and high-precision radiation therapy.
Reliable Spine Stabilization
BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK implants provide proven, reliable spinal stabilization.6Wagner et al. (2021): Cement-Augmented Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Pedicle Screw Instrumentation for Spinal Metastases: Safety and Efficacy. World Neurosurgery. (PubMed, PMID: 34339894)7Trungu et al. (2021): Percutaneous Carbon-PEEK Instrumentation for Spine Tumors: A Prospective Observational Study. Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences. (PubMed, PMID: 33870663) 8Lindtner et al. (2018): Pedicle Screw Anchorage of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced PEEK Screws under Cyclic Loading. European Spine Journal. (PubMed, PMID: 29497852)9Almeida et al. (2022): Carbon Fiber Reinforced PEEK Implants for Spine Tumors: A Single Center Experience. The Spine Journal, Volume 22, Issue 9, Supplement, Page S185 (Link) Furthermore, no new surgical techniques are required for the use of BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK implants. You can use established methods such as MIS/open and cement augmentation.
The next step in tumor control:
Radiation Therapy
BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK optimizes the entire treatment pathway – including radiotherapy.