Smith and Nephew says new research supports Verilast

Smith and Nephew has welcomed research indicating that the materials used in its Verilast technology for hip implants have superior longevity to other products.

It cited the annual report from the Australian Orthopaedic Association's National Joint Replacement Registry, which contains information on more than 150,000 hip replacements made between 1999 and 2009.

Analysis of the data showed that ceramicised metal devices achieved the highest survivorship rate five years after surgery, according to Smith and Nephew.

Verilast uses the ceramicised metal technology Oxinium Oxidized Zirconium and cross-linked polyethylene.

"We're thrilled by these results – we've worked hard to introduce technologies that improve the wear performance of implants," said Joseph DeVivo, president of Smith and Nephew Orthopaedics.

He added that the report had confirmed "decades of research and innovation" for the company.

Oxinium material is a metal alloy that undergoes a heating process to transform its surface into a ceramic that is 4,900 times more resistant than cobalt chrome.

Last month, Smith and Nephew reported a four percent increase in revenue to $941 million (602.8 million pounds) for the third quarter.