MAI Animal Health is partnering with VetWelding AG to introduce their revolutionary VetWelding technology to veterinarians.

The first absorbable technology available for veterinary surgery, BoneWelding^® uses a polymer which softens when warm making it easy to conform to complex anatomy. This facilitates fracture segment alignment, bone fixation and eliminates a second surgery to remove fixation hardware.

The pins and plate are composed of an absorbable polymer which has been used in human surgery for over 20 years which degrades in approximately 12 months. It is the only system using ultrasound energy to weld the pins to the plate and ‘melt’ the pins into the underlying bone for superior anchoring.

These advantages translate to a more efficient and cost-effective surgical procedure and could elevate this technology to the new standard of care.

How BoneWelding^® works

The BoneWelding^® system consists of the following components:

• Resorb Pin and Plate System
• BoneWelder^® Vet ultrasonic generator and the sonotrode handpiece for implanting the pins
• Water Bath
• BOS drill and color-coded bits

The procedure is straightforward:

• Isolate the fracture site and select the correct size absorbable plate for the fracture. Note: the plates come in many sizes and can be trimmed to the appropriate size using a scissor.
• Heat the absorbable plate in a water bath then shape it over the fracture segments.
• Drill fixation holes through the plate with the color-coded drill bit.
• Mount an absorbable pin on the sonotrode and place the pin in the drill hole.
• Use the ultrasonic generator to weld the pin to the plate and deform it into the underlying bone to anchor the implant securely.

The BoneWelder^® Vet ultrasonic generator and sonotrode transfer ultrasonic energy into the polymer pin, vibrating and heating it causing ‘flow’ into the interstices of cancellous and cortical bone creating an instant, secure grip. The pin also welds to the plate and therefore works like a locking screw.  In comparison, titanium screws may loosen over time and often require removal after fracture healing.

Easy customization

The absorbable plates and pins are made of polylactide thermoplastic polymers used in human medicine for over two decades. The pins and plates are fully customizable to the patient.

Plates come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and thicknesses and can be easily cut with scissors intraoperatively. The plates easily conform to bone after immersion in a hot water bath for 10-seconds. Precise apposition of a fixation system to bone is well understood to reduce micromotion and potential implant loosening.

Pins also come in various diameters and lengths. Only drilling is required; eliminating tapping of the drill hole allows for exceptionally fast implantation of the absorbable pins.

No removal surgery needed

The absorbable technology eliminates the need for a second surgery for hardware removal. The plate and pins maintain original mechanical strength for eight weeks, with full resorption within 12 months. The BoneWelding^® technology also allows for better visualization of the fracture reduction and healing over time since it is not radiopaque on imaging.  The clinician can clearly see radiographic healing progress and bone formation across the fracture segments. The only visible postoperative evidence of the BoneWelding^® system will be the holes drilled for pin placement.

BoneWelding^® technology will bring veterinary orthopedics to a new level. Let the efficiency and effectiveness of VetWelding technology help you deliver a new standard of care to your patients.

Contact your MAI Animal Health sales rep for more information.