DGAP-News: LOQTEQ(R): Biomechanical study confirms good explantation properties compared with market leader

aap Implantate AG ("aap") announces that the clinically observed good explantation properties of its angular stable anatomical plating system LOQTEQ(R) have now also been demonstrated in a biomechanical study. It was noted that over-tightening and cyclic loading are potential causes for screw seizing in locking plate implants. Both effects were found to be less pronounced in the angular stable screw-plate mechanism of aap's LOQTEQ(R) system than in the market leader's mechanism.
 

The seizing of screws is a frequently encountered clinical problem during implant removal of locking compression plates after completion of fracture healing. Consequently, the surgeon has difficulties regarding the explantation and at times has to use auxiliary instruments or must even drill out the entire screw from the plate with an additional drill, thereby creating metal shavings. Seizing is thus a health risk for the patient and can increase treatment times and costs significantly. This seizing of the screw head into the hole of the plate is sometimes incorrectly associated with cold welding, which actually is very unlikely to occur between anodized titanium surfaces.
 

In a study the LOQTEQ(R) technology's explantation properties were analysed in comparison with those of the technology used by the market leader. Specifically, the removal torques before and after cyclic dynamic loading were assessed for screws inserted at the manufacturer's recommended torque or at an increased insertion torque. While over-tightening is a frequently suspected reason for the seizing of screws in locking constructs, cyclic loading of the screws simulated the patient's activity during daily living. As a result, it was shown inter alia that with the market leader's mechanism over-tightening resulted in an increase of about 40% in the removal torque compared to tightening the screw with the manufacturer's recommended torque. In contrast, with aap's LOQTEQ(R) mechanism over-tightening had no effect on seizing of the locking screws. It was further noted that with cyclic loading the removal torque of the locking screws was consistently increased by about 40% to 70% for the market leader's screws, whereas an increase of only 20% was registered for LOQTEQ(R). One conclusion was thus that the LOQTEQ(R) mechanism appeared to be less affected by the seizing effect than the market leader's mechanism.
 

The tests were undertaken by the well-known Institute for Biomechanics of the Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Murnau (= Murnau Trauma Centre) under the direction of Prof. Dr. Peter Augat. The Institute for Biomechanics is an interdisciplinary department for research on trauma surgery and orthopaedic issues with direct clinical relevance. Through the connection of the Institute to the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, orientation in clinical practice is supplemented through integration in academic sciences.
 

aap's anatomical plating system LOQTEQ(R) simplifies operation techniques for im- and explantation of implants. The LOQTEQ(R) concept is based on a patented technology featuring a screw-hole geometry, which allows simultaneous fracture compression and angular stable fixation in one step using one single screw. The advantage of this technology is that the surgeon can omit one surgical step by not having to change the drill or other auxiliary instruments to set the LOQTEQ(R) plate at a stable angle and simultaneously perform a compression of the fracture. This plate-screw combination can therefore simplify the surgery as well as reduce the surgery time.
 

In 2011, the LOQTEQ(R) brand was placed on the market for the first time. LOQTEQ(R) stands for "Locking Compression Technology" with a focus on "Made in Germany" quality. Since its market launch, aap has gradually expanded its range of offered anatomical plating systems. Today, the LOQTEQ(R) system already covers more than 90 percent of fracture indications in the field of large bone care, meaning it can be considered a complete system. The extensive, IP-protected portfolio has great appeal among many customers and leading surgeons worldwide.

 

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aap Implantate AG (ISIN DE0005066609) - Prime Standard/Regulated Market - All German stock markets -

About aap Implantate AG
aap Implantate AG is a globally operating medical device company headquartered in Berlin, Germany. The company develops, manufactures and markets trauma products for orthopaedics. The IP protected portfolio includes besides the innovative anatomical plating system LOQTEQ(R) and trauma complementary biomaterials a wide range of cannulated screws as well as standard plates and screws. Furthermore, aap Implantate AG has an innovation pipeline with promising development projects as the antibacterial silver coating technology and magnesium based implants. These technologies address critical problems in surgery that haven't yet been resolved adequately. In German-speaking Europe aap Implantate AG directly sells its products to hospitals, buying syndicates and hospital groups while it uses a broad network of distributors in more than 25 countries at the international level. aap Implantate AG's stock is listed in the Prime Standard segment of Frankfurt Stock Exchange (XETRA: AAQ.DE). For more information, please visit www.aap.de, or download the Company's investor relations app from the Apple's App Store or Google Play.

Forward-looking statement
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current experience, estimates and projections of the management board and currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of aap to be materially different from those that may be expressed or implied by such statements. These factors include those discussed in aap's public reports. Forward-looking statements therefore speak only as of the date they are made. aap does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release or to conform them to future events or developments.

Contact:
aap Implantate AG; Fabian Franke; Investor Relations; Lorenzweg 5; D-12099 Berlin Tel.: +49/30/750 19 - 134; Fax.: +49/30/750 19 - 290; f.franke@aap.de