Bactiguard Holding: New data reinforce Bactiguard’s distinct and durable approach to orthopedic implant surface modification
Bactiguard Holding AB (publ) today announced the release of previously unpublished data on its noble metal technology that highlight its distinct and durable properties for orthopedic implants. The new data were presented at the 37th Annual Congress of the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty (ISTA).
One of the studies, "In Vitro and In Vivo Durability of a Noble Metal Coating", presented by Dr. Katrin Ljunggren, Bactiguard, shows that Bactiguard’s noble metal technology remains durably bound to the implant surface through both extended clinical use and repeated hospital sterilization.
Researchers examined an intramedullary nail retrieved from a patient after eight months of use, together with coated implant samples subjected to up to 50 rounds of autoclave sterilization. The coated samples continued to meet specifications after 50 sterilization cycles, showing no loss of the Bactiguard surface modification. The silver content on the retrieved implant remained within its specified target range – despite visible scratches on the retrieved nail consistent with mechanical stress before and during implantation.
The other study, "A Comparative Analysis of Silver Surface Technologies in Orthopaedic Reconstruction and Trauma", presented by Dr. Saurabh Lal, Zimmer Biomet, shows that Bactiguard’s technology had the lowest silver content of the reviewed technologies based on the comprehensive literature review.
Researchers compared how established silver-based coatings for orthopedic implants work against Bactiguard's technology, which binds silver together with gold and palladium to the implant surface to reduce bacterial adhesion rather than release silver into the body. Conventional silver technologies in the study were shown to work by releasing silver ions, with total silver content and measurable systemic exposure varying considerably between products. Bactiguard’s noble metal technology stood out as a distinct approach, and other silver systems are not directly comparable to Bactiguard’s technology.
"The results from these two studies get to the heart of what sets our technology apart. One shows why our surface interacts with bacteria differently from conventional silver coatings, and the other shows that this surface remains intact on the implant after extended clinical use in real patient use. That combination of a differentiated mechanism and demonstrated durability is important for clinicians to trust an infection-prevention technology in trauma and reconstruction surgery," says Christine Lind, CEO of Bactiguard.
The studies mentioned above form part of Bactiguard's scientific evidence for its noble metal technology within the orthopedics therapeutic area. The studies are available in the article How durable is the Noble Metal Technology in Orthopedic implants? on Bactiguard’s website and at the ISTA Munich 2026 congress programme.
The study "In Vitro and In Vivo Durability of a Noble Metal Coating" is also presented at the EBJIS–MSIS 2026 Conference. This conference is the first-ever joint meeting between the European Bone & Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) and the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS), and is held 17–19 September 2026 in Porto, Portugal.
ISTA is the leading global forum for surgeons, engineers and industry to present and discuss innovations in joint replacement technology, gathering more than 1,000 delegates from around the world each year. The Annual Congress 2026 is held 15–18 September 2026 in Munich, Germany.