Bruker donates S1 TITAN handheld XRF analyzer to SIGN Fracture Care International for verification of raw materials (surgical-grade stainless steel) used in medical implants

Kennewick, Washington – March 8, 2018 – Bruker has donated an S1 TITAN handheld XRF alloy analyzer to SIGN Fracture Care International. Bruker, based in Kennewick, WA, manufactures handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers. XRF is a quick, safe and completely non-destructive method of evaluating a material’s chemical composition. This instrument will help SIGN to ensure that the proper metal alloys will be used in their custom surgical implants. John Landefeld, Managing Director of Bruker Nano Analytics’ HMP business unit (Handheld-Mobile-Portable XRF), said “In 2010, we provided a S1 SORTER handheld XRF analyzer, as well as pro bono analytical services to SIGN. Due to SIGN’s incredible growth in supporting orthopedic surgeons in developing countries, they need an additional instrument with more modern capabilities, so we are happy to provide this to SIGN. Their mission is a blessing to many underprivileged populations, and we are happy that we could help them sustain their growth, as they extend their mission into more regions around the world.”

Landefeld added “We would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate Dr Lewis Zirkle, SIGN’s founder. On Monday February 26, 2018, we were proud to witness Secretary of Defense James Mattis presenting Dr Zirkle with the Medal for Distinguished Public Service. This medal is the highest award that is presented by the Secretary of Defense, to a private citizen, politician, non-career federal employee, or foreign national. It is presented for exceptionally distinguished service of significance to the Department of Defense as a whole, or a DoD Component or function, where recognition at the component level would not be sufficient for the service rendered. This medal recognizes Dr Zirkle’s incredible public service, beginning with his efforts to treat both wounded US soldiers and Vietnamese civilians, as a combat surgeon during the Vietnam War.”

SIGN Fracture Care International, based in Richland, WA, is a unique humanitarian aid organization dedicated to bringing modern orthopaedic care to the inured poor of the world. SIGN provides orthopaedic education and equipment to more than 5,000 surgeons in developing countries, enabling them to treat and heal fractured bones in their impoverished patients. The SIGN System is designed specifically for use in austere hospital environments, and does not require the use of instant imaging, or even electricity, to preform successful surgery. For more information, please visit their website at www.signfracturecare.org

Portable XRF alloy analysis is used in surgical implant manufacturing to provide immediate quality control.  The S1 TITAN has the ability to identify the alloy used within the implant, thus verifying that the specified alloy was used during the manufacturing process. In addition, portable XRF can be used for incoming material inspection to determine that the proper material has been delivered and to avoid investing substantial time in machining and processing the wrong alloy. SIGN uses several types of medical-grade stainless steel (I.e. 316 SS, 400 series SS, 17-4 SS, etc) depending on the end use. Material certification is a standard QA requirement of SIGN.  Using Bruker’s S1 TITAN, SIGN discovered that there is an easy way to detect supply errors, therefore ensuring that the material ordered is exactly what they received. The portable XRF alloy analyzer will quickly and non-destructively give the QA inspector the Grade ID (I.e. 316 SS), as well as the complete chemical composition in about ten (10) seconds. This serves as a double quality check to ensure that the specified material is truly what is used.


About Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR)
For more than 50 years, Bruker has enabled scientists to make breakthrough discoveries and develop new applications that improve the quality of human life. Bruker’s high-performance scientific research instruments and high-value analytical solutions enable scientists to explore life and materials at molecular, cellular and microscopic levels.  

In close cooperation with our customers, Bruker is enabling innovation, productivity and customer success in life science molecular research, in applied and pharma applications, in microscopy, nano-analysis and industrial applications, as well as in cell biology, preclinical imaging, clinical research, microbiology and molecular diagnostics.  For more information, please visit www.bruker.com .