Nano Surface Technology

Nanotechnology that transforms fusion outcomes

Medtronic uses nanoscale surface engineering to enhance bone integration, combining a PEEK core with a titanium scaffold and electrochemically treated nanotube arrays.

Discover Anatomic™ PEEK implants

The Anatomic™ PEEK interbody features a three-dimensional titanium scaffold with interconnected pores in order to improve implant stability, enhance radiographic visibility, and promote bone growth. 

Surface technologies

nanoLOCK™ interbody surface technology

nanoLOCK™ is a proprietary surface treatment developed to enhance the osseointegration and mechanical stability of spinal implants. It has a dual-level surface architecture that combines micron-scale roughness with nanotopography.¹ A micron-scale texture promotes mechanical interlock with bone.²

The nanotopography, created through a proprietary etching process, encourages cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, particularly of osteoblasts.¹ 

The surface is applied to titanium alloy substrates and has been validated through in vitro and in vivo studies showing enhanced osteogenic activity and bone-to-implant contact.^§,3

This dual-scale design mimics the natural bone environment, aiming to:

Accelerate bone formation
Improve implant stability
Demonstrated high fusion rates⁴

Macro level

Anti-expulsion texturing is applied to the superior and inferior surfaces of the implant to help resist migration.

Micro level (10⁻⁶ m)

The micro level features osteoclastic-sized pits on all external and interior surfaces.

Nano level (10⁻⁷ m)

The nano level has textures within the osteoclastic pits on all surfaces.

Representative of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of surface features at each scale.

Inspired by nature: designed to mimic osteoclastic resorption pits

In nature, osteoblasts form bone after osteoclastic pits have been created. nanoLOCK™ surface technology uses biomimicry to create osteoclastic-like pits that mirror the topography and nanotexture of natural pits, creating a surface based on the bone remodeling process.⁵

Osteoclastic pit in nature

Osteoclastic pit-like, nano-scaled texture of nanoLOCK™.⁶

Image courtesy of Timothy R. Arnett, PhD, University College London (UCL) and Matteson et al.⁸

nanoPEEK surface technology

nanoPEEK is a proprietary surface treatment engineered to enhance osseointegration and mechanical stability in spinal implants, available on both the Adaptix™ nanoPEEK interbody fusion system and Anatomic™ PEEK interbody fusion system.

View interbodies

Dual-level surface architecture. The implant features a three-dimensional titanium scaffold with interconnected pores (average 523 μm), supporting bone in-growth and mechanical interlock. The surface is further manipulated at the nanoscale, forming controlled nanotopography with nanotube arrays (30–90 mm diameter) that are electrochemically treated and infused with calcium and phosphate.
Micron-scale texture. Nanotubes present on the macro and micro titanium scaffold have proven cellular influence in in-vitro studies compared to surfaces without nanotechnology.^†,‡,7
Radiographic confirmation. The titanium scaffold assists in securing the implant and provides clear radiographic confirmation of implant location, aiding intraoperative and postoperative assessment.
Material and compatibility. nanoPEEK cages are constructed from medical-grade polyetheretherketone (PEEKOPTIMA^®) and CP titanium, with tantalum markers for visibility. They are compatible with Medtronic’s biologics solutions, including Grafton™ DBF and Xpanse™ bone insert, and can be used with supplemental fixation and standard instrumentation to minimize workflow disruption.
Validated performance. nanoPEEK surface technology has been validated through in vitro^§ studies demonstrating enhanced osteogenic activity and bone-to-implant contact.