Our Material

The BioPoly material behaves like synthetic cartilage. It is a patented combination of two well-known orthopaedic materials: “Bio” = hyaluronic acid or HA; “Poly” = Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene or UHMWPE.

This unique combination creates a hydrophilic (water-loving) polymer that attracts the lubricating joint fluid to its surface, effectively becoming a “self-lubricated” polymer. Unlike metal which is ~16,000x stiffer than cartilage, BioPoly material properties are more similar to cartilage. With the backbone of UHMWPE (the same polymer used as the bearing material in many total joint implants), carrying physiological loads is not an issue for BioPoly. Therefore, with better matching material properties along with its self-lubricating properties, BioPoly is the material of choice for replacement of painful cartilage lesions. 

Current surgical treatments for painful, debilitating articular cartilage defects lie between two extremes: biological attempts (microfracture, OATS, ACI/mACI) and artificial replacement (total or partial joint arthroplasty). Unfortunately, many patients are too old and are not good candidates for the biological techniques (or they have had a failed treatment), yet they may not be ready (or not “old enough”) for an invasive artificial joint. 

The devices made with BioPoly provide a treatment option between these extremes. The BioPoly® devices are uniquely designed to replace only the damaged cartilage; therefore, patients can quickly recover and return to pain-free, active lifestyles.