SINTX Technologies Expands Silicon Nitride Platform into Hybrid CFR-PEKK Trauma Plates
SINTX Technologies (NASDAQ: SINT) has announced a breakthrough in biomaterial development, publishing a peer-reviewed study validating silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) surface coatings on carbon fiber-reinforced polyetherketoneketone (CFR-PEKK) trauma plates. The research, supported by NIH-NIAMS and conducted with Drexel University, demonstrates successful integration of silicon nitride into 3D-printed continuous carbon fiber PEKK composites.
The study revealed two key achievements: the hybrid-manufactured CFR-PEKK trauma plates matched the mechanical stiffness of cortical bone, and the Si₃N₄ coating maintained mechanical performance while potentially offering enhanced osseointegration and antimicrobial properties. This development expands SINTX's biomaterial platform into additively-manufactured polymer-carbon-ceramic constructs, with potential applications in orthopedic trauma, spine, and custom surgical implants.
SINTX Technologies (NASDAQ: SINT) ha annunciato un'importante innovazione nello sviluppo di biomateriali, pubblicando uno studio peer-reviewed che convalida i rivestimenti superficiali in nitruro di silicio (Si₃N₄) su placche traumatologiche in polieterchetonechetone rinforzato con fibra di carbonio (CFR-PEKK). La ricerca, supportata da NIH-NIAMS e condotta in collaborazione con la Drexel University, dimostra l'integrazione riuscita del nitruro di silicio in compositi di PEKK con fibra di carbonio continua stampati in 3D.
Lo studio ha evidenziato due risultati fondamentali: le placche traumatologiche CFR-PEKK prodotte con tecnologia ibrida hanno mostrato una rigidità meccanica paragonabile a quella dell'osso corticale, mentre il rivestimento in Si₃N₄ ha mantenuto le prestazioni meccaniche offrendo potenzialmente una migliore osteointegrazione e proprietà antimicrobiche. Questo progresso amplia la piattaforma di biomateriali di SINTX includendo strutture polimero-carbonio-ceramica prodotte additivamente, con possibili applicazioni nella traumatologia ortopedica, nella colonna vertebrale e negli impianti chirurgici personalizzati.
SINTX Technologies (NASDAQ: SINT) ha anunciado un avance en el desarrollo de biomateriales, publicando un estudio revisado por pares que valida los recubrimientos superficiales de nitruro de silicio (Si₃N₄) en placas de trauma de polieterquetonaquetona reforzada con fibra de carbono (CFR-PEKK). La investigación, apoyada por NIH-NIAMS y realizada en colaboración con la Universidad Drexel, demuestra la integración exitosa del nitruro de silicio en compuestos de PEKK con fibra continua de carbono impresos en 3D.
El estudio reveló dos logros clave: las placas de trauma CFR-PEKK fabricadas mediante un proceso híbrido igualaron la rigidez mecánica del hueso cortical, y el recubrimiento de Si₃N₄ mantuvo el rendimiento mecánico mientras ofrecía potencialmente una mejor osseointegración y propiedades antimicrobianas. Este desarrollo amplía la plataforma de biomateriales de SINTX hacia estructuras polimero-carbono-cerámicas fabricadas aditivamente, con aplicaciones potenciales en trauma ortopédico, columna vertebral e implantes quirúrgicos personalizados.
SINTX Technologies (NASDAQ: SINT)는 생체재료 개발에서 획기적인 성과를 발표하며, 탄소 섬유 강화 폴리에테르케톤케톤(CFR-PEKK) 외상용 플레이트에 실리콘 나이트라이드(Si₃N₄) 표면 코팅을 검증한 동료 평가 연구를 발표했습니다. NIH-NIAMS의 지원을 받고 Drexel University와 함께 진행된 이 연구는 3D 프린팅된 연속 탄소 섬유 PEKK 복합재에 실리콘 나이트라이드가 성공적으로 통합되었음을 보여줍니다.
연구 결과 두 가지 주요 성과가 확인되었습니다: 하이브리드 제조된 CFR-PEKK 외상 플레이트가 피질골의 기계적 강성을 일치시켰으며, Si₃N₄ 코팅은 기계적 성능을 유지하면서 뼈와의 결합력 향상 및 항균 특성을 제공할 가능성이 있습니다. 이 개발은 SINTX의 생체재료 플랫폼을 적층 제조된 폴리머-탄소-세라믹 구조물로 확장하여 정형외과 외상, 척추 및 맞춤형 수술용 임플란트에 적용할 수 있는 잠재력을 갖추게 되었습니다.
SINTX Technologies (NASDAQ : SINT) a annoncé une avancée majeure dans le développement de biomatériaux, publiant une étude évaluée par des pairs validant les revêtements de surface en nitrure de silicium (Si₃N₄) sur des plaques de traumatologie en polyéthercétonecétone renforcé par fibre de carbone (CFR-PEKK). La recherche, soutenue par le NIH-NIAMS et réalisée en collaboration avec l'Université Drexel, démontre l'intégration réussie du nitrure de silicium dans des composites PEKK à fibre de carbone continue imprimés en 3D.
L'étude a révélé deux réalisations clés : les plaques de traumatologie CFR-PEKK fabriquées par procédé hybride ont atteint la rigidité mécanique de l'os cortical, et le revêtement en Si₃N₄ a maintenu les performances mécaniques tout en offrant potentiellement une meilleure ostéointégration et des propriétés antimicrobiennes. Cette avancée étend la plateforme de biomatériaux de SINTX aux structures polymère-carbone-céramique fabriquées par fabrication additive, avec des applications potentielles en traumatologie orthopédique, colonne vertébrale et implants chirurgicaux personnalisés.
SINTX Technologies (NASDAQ: SINT) hat einen Durchbruch in der Entwicklung von Biomaterialien bekannt gegeben und eine peer-reviewte Studie veröffentlicht, die Siliziumnitrid (Si₃N₄) Oberflächenbeschichtungen auf kohlefaserverstärkten Polyetherketonketon (CFR-PEKK) Trauma-Platten validiert. Die von NIH-NIAMS unterstützte und in Zusammenarbeit mit der Drexel University durchgeführte Forschung zeigt die erfolgreiche Integration von Siliziumnitrid in 3D-gedruckte kontinuierliche Kohlefaser-PEKK-Verbundwerkstoffe.
Die Studie zeigte zwei wesentliche Errungenschaften: Die hybrid hergestellten CFR-PEKK Trauma-Platten erreichten die mechanische Steifigkeit von kortikalem Knochen, und die Si₃N₄-Beschichtung bewahrte die mechanische Leistung und bietet potenziell verbesserte Osseointegration und antimikrobielle Eigenschaften. Diese Entwicklung erweitert die Biomaterial-Plattform von SINTX auf additiv gefertigte Polymer-Kohlenstoff-Keramik-Konstrukte mit potenziellen Anwendungen in der orthopädischen Traumatologie, Wirbelsäule und maßgeschneiderten chirurgischen Implantaten.
- Successfully developed hybrid-manufactured trauma plates matching cortical bone's mechanical properties
- Silicon nitride coating maintained mechanical performance while adding potential antimicrobial benefits
- Technology applicable to various thermoplastics, expanding market opportunities
- Research supported by NIH grant and validated through peer-reviewed publication
- None.
Insights
SINTX's silicon nitride coating on 3D-printed carbon-fiber composites shows promise for bone-mimicking trauma implants with antimicrobial properties.
SINTX's publication in the Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials represents a significant technological advancement in orthopedic biomaterials. The study demonstrates that their proprietary silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) coating can be successfully applied to carbon fiber-reinforced polyetherketoneketone (CFR-PEKK) trauma plates without compromising mechanical integrity. The key innovation lies in creating hybrid materials with mechanical properties that closely mimic natural bone—specifically, the flexural modulus values within the range of cortical bone (1.7–16.3 GPa).
This addresses a fundamental challenge in orthopedic trauma fixation. Traditional metallic plates, while strong, often cause stress shielding due to their significantly higher stiffness compared to bone. This mismatch can lead to bone resorption and delayed healing. By developing materials with tunable mechanical properties that more closely match bone, SINTX may improve stress distribution and potentially enhance fracture healing outcomes.
Additionally, silicon nitride's known osteoconductive and antimicrobial properties could provide significant clinical advantages. Osteoconductivity promotes direct bone attachment to implants, while antimicrobial characteristics could reduce infection risk—a serious complication in trauma surgery that often requires implant removal and extensive antibiotic treatment.
The NIH/NIAMS funding through the R41 mechanism (Small Business Technology Transfer) signals scientific merit and commercial potential. The partnership with Prof. Kurtz's lab at Drexel University, a respected center for implant research, adds credibility to this technology. The company's claim that similar results can be achieved with other thermoplastics like PEEK suggests a potentially broad application of this coating technology across various medical devices.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SINTX Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SINT) (“SINTX” or the “Company”), an advanced ceramics innovator specializing in silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) for musculoskeletal applications, today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study in the Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials. The study validates the use of silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) surface coatings on carbon fiber–reinforced polyetherketoneketone (CFR-PEKK) trauma plates—marking a significant expansion of SINTX’s biomaterial platform into additively-manufactured polymer-carbon-ceramic constructs.
The research, supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Award R41AR082266), was conducted in partnership with Prof. Steven Kurtz’s Implant Research Center at Drexel University’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems.
“This work demonstrates that SINTX’s proprietary process can successfully integrate silicon nitride into 3D-printed continuous carbon fiber (CCF) PEKK composites without compromising flexural strength or stiffness,” said Dr. Ryan Bock, Chief Technology Officer at SINTX, principal investigator on the project, and co-author of the study. “Notably, certain layup configurations of these hybrid-manufactured CFR-PEKK plates were engineered to replicate the mechanical stiffness of cortical bone—highlighting a key advantage over traditional metallic trauma plates. We are enthusiastic about the clinical potential of these materials and the significant market opportunity they represent for SINTX.”
The Company expects similar results can be obtained with a wide variety of other thermoplastics, including polyetheretherketone (PEEK). This particulate embedding approach represents an additional way to impart silicon nitride’s beneficial biologic properties to conventional inert biomaterials.
“The significance of this study is twofold—it affirms that silicon nitride can be effectively integrated with novel thermoplastic-based biomaterials, and it supports our broader vision of combination materials tailored for specific clinical applications,” said Eric Olson, CEO of SINTX Technologies. “By enabling silicon nitride to work in concert with polymers like CFR-PEKK, we are positioning ourselves to be the material difference in addressing unmet needs in orthopedic trauma, spine, and custom surgical implants.”
Key highlights of the study include:
- Mechanical Tunability: Hybrid-manufactured CFR-PEKK trauma plates achieved flexural modulus values within the range of cortical bone (1.7–16.3 GPa), allowing for optimization of stress distribution for bone healing.
- Preservation of Mechanical Performance: Si₃N₄ surface coatings had no statistically significant effect on flexural modulus or strength, as confirmed by standardized four-point bending tests and detailed microstructural analysis.
- Clinical Relevance: Si₃N₄’s known osteoconductive and antimicrobial properties may enhance clinical outcomes by promoting osseointegration and reducing the risk of infection—key factors in trauma and reconstructive surgery.
“This collaboration is a prime example of how academic partnerships and government funding can accelerate translational innovation,” said Lisa Marie Del Re, Chief Commercial Officer of SINTX Technologies. “As we expand our product portfolio, these findings support our extensive IP portfolio and commercialization strategy to develop differentiated implant solutions using hybrid manufacturing and surface bioactivation.”
The published article is titled “Hybrid-manufactured silicon nitride coated CFR-PEKK: A candidate biomaterial for trauma plate applications?” and is available online through Elsevier at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107141
For more information, visit www.sintx.com.
About SINTX Technologies, Inc.
Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, SINTX Technologies is an advanced ceramics company that develops and commercializes materials, components, and technologies for medical and agribiotech applications. SINTX is a global leader in the research, development, and manufacturing of silicon nitride, and its products have been implanted in humans since 2008. Over the past several years, SINTX has utilized strategic acquisitions and alliances to enter new markets. For more information on SINTX Technologies or its materials platform, visit www.sintx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”) that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy,” "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations and beliefs. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, difficulty in developing clinically effective products from silicon nitride, commercializing ceramic technologies and development of new product opportunities. A discussion of other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements can be found in SINTX’s Risk Factors disclosure in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 19, 2025, and in SINTX’s other filings with the SEC. SINTX undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this report, except as required by law.
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