Osteoporosis - more information for effective relief

Dear Readers,

Osteoporosis, along with stroke and heart attack, is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases. The widely spread false idea, that pain inevitably accompanies the aging process, means that numerous treatment possibilities today are not used. A reduction of pain would, at the same time, abruptly interrupt the vicious circle of immobility and quickly restore the patient’s quality of life. For many years, SOMATEX have supported information for patients and general practitioners.  You can read how and why in our current newsletter. And, we bring you news from the product groups for vertebroplasty and tumour marking.

We hope that you will enjoy reading and learning.

With all good wishes

Your SOMATEX-Team

Osteoporosis - more information for effective relief                  
(author: Thammo Weise)

Since the introduction of spinal augmentation methods at the end of the Nineties in Germany and Europe, there has been continuously rapid growth in the number of interventions for most osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures. In 2008 c. 12,400 procedures are expected in Germany alone; in Europe c. 28,600. The low rate of complications and the great reduction of pain in all operations, as well as the reproduction of reimbursement modalities in many countries, have contributed considerably to this success story, which will also be accompanied by continuous growth in the future. On the other hand, however, there are about eight million people in Germany suffering from osteoporosis (prevalence in Europe 8‑10%), whose number increases each year by a further 100,000.
...(entire article to be downloaded here)

Lively interest in SOMATEX CT radiation protection products

After the introduction of the new radiation protection products at Medica in November 2007, SOMATEX was able to record a considerable demand. We are happy to present these products here once again:

SOMATEX developed a new radiation shield that has significantly less radiation exposure compared to former protectors, all the while maintaining the quality of the diagnostic image. The increased protection is made possible by the innovative combination of different metallic components. To protect the environment as well as human health, SOMATEX designed the new shield without any lead. The two new products - CT-Eye ProteX and CT-Gland ProteX are setting standards for active radiation protection for patients.

A study conducted by the TransMIT Centre for Applied Radiological Research of the University Clinic Gießen and Marburg examined CT shields of various compositions. SOMATEX protectors were shown to reduce radiation exposure by 45% compared with conventional, lead-free bismuth shielding. This constitutes a 25% increase of the protective effect compared to the conventional bismuth shields, whereby the increased proportion of scattered photons behind the protector material is already taken into account.

*Scientific study by University Clinic Gießen and Marburg available on demand

Tumark® Professional now also in 150 mm lengths

Because of numerous user requests, SOMATEX Tumark® Professional is now also available with a cannula length of 150 mm, along with the standard length of 120 mm.

With Tumark® Professional can be marked with minimal invasion prior to a treatment with cytostatic agents or radiation in a gentle way. After successfuk chemo- or radiation therapy, the affected tissue area is quickly and easily lacatable again.

New cement for vertebroplasty

In the search for permanent product innovation and more effective treatment possibilities, SOMATEX, in cooperation with Heraeus Medical, offers a new cement for filling and stabilising vertebral bodies.

This summer the newly developed cement will be available, based on OSTEOPAL® V from Heraeus Medical whisch has been tried and tested over many years. The new cement offers al multitude of advantages compared with the previously available cement:

OSTEOPAL® X combines the increased viscosity of the initial phase  with a short setting phase, so that the waiting time, and with it the intervention period, is reduced.

OSTEOPAL® X has a high level of the X-ray contrast medium ZrO2, instead of BaSO4, which has been used until now, for excellent visibility in imaging techniques. Numerically expressed, this means an increase of the X-ray contrast from 10 percent to 45 percent, in comparison to the previous cement.

OSTEOPAL® X has excellent physical properties. Flexural strength, compressive strength and elasticity far exceed the international standard ISO 5833.

OSTEOPAL® X is an X-ray positive, low viscosity, quick hardening bone cement for filling and stabilising vertebral bodies. It is made by mixing a polymer powder component with a liquid monomer component. Zirconium dioxide has been added to the cement powder as an X-ray contrast medium.

OSTEOPAL® X is used for the augmentation of vertebral bodies:

      for painful compression fractures of the vertebral body
     for painful tumours in the vertebral body (metastatic or myelomas)
     for symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas

Do you have any further questions concerning our products? Please visit us on our homepage www.somatex.com or just give us a call!! +49 (0)3328 3076-19

You are welcome to write us an e-mail:info@somatex.com.