PE With Vitamin E Booster Improves Longevity of Medical Implant

Medtech company Enovis Corp. has unveiled its Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR Ankle) upgrade, which is reportedly the first FDA-cleared mobile bearing ankle system with a polyethylene (PE) insert doped with vitamin E. The blend is said to improve implant durability, stability, and longevity, based on bench tests conducted by Enovis.

Antioxidant properties

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant in the PE, helping it to resist oxidation and maintain consistent wear rates and stable mechanical properties over time, according to the company. Other highly cross-linked PE is remelted during manufacturing to neutralize free radicals, a process that can reduce its mechanical strength by up to 12%.

"With e+ Polyethylene, we uphold our commitment to the advancement of our total ankle portfolio, merging full oxidative resistance with the time-tested design of the STAR Ankle,” said Gary Justak, president and general manager of Enovis Foot & Ankle, in a prepared statement. “Building upon the proven success of the STAR Ankle epitomizes our culture of advancing foot and ankle solutions and elevating patient treatment options. We don't just set the standard — we redefine it,” said Justak.

Improved patient outcomes

“After extensive clinical experience with this superior material in knee and shoulder implants, along with years of laboratory testing, I expect improved patient outcomes through increased polyethylene longevity,” said Dr. Gregory Lundeen, a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon at Reno Orthopedic Center who is also a consultant for Enovis. “This builds on the outstanding STAR Ankle long-term metal-component survival rates seen in multiple clinical studies,” added Lundeen.

Prior to the inclusion of e+ Polyethylene, the STAR Ankle has been implanted more than 40,000 times across the world during its 37-year history.

Medical plastics market soars

The medical plastics market as a whole is forecast to achieve a 10% compound annual growth rate, increasing in value from $25.6 billion in 2023 to $41.2 billion by 2028, according to a recent business report from BCC Research. North America is the largest market for medical plastics, but Asia Pacific will show tremendous growth as it invests in its healthcare infrastructure, according to the report.