Metal Analyzer, a Gift from Bruker Elemental to be used by SIGN for Humanitarian Testing of Implants

Kennewick, Washington – July 5, 2011 – Operating from Richland, WA, Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) is a non-profit, human rights organization that offers state-of-the-art orthopedic medical attention to the world’s poor living in developing countries. Through their diligence, SIGN volunteers and staff, assisted by over 4,000 native surgeons, travel to underdeveloped locations. SIGN specialists and local surgeons use SIGN’s engineered-developed and manufactured orthopedic implant system in fracture and trauma injuries, hoping to prevent disabilities. SIGN is also committed to spreading modern medical practices globally, and trains local surgeons. To ensure that their specialized implants contain the proper alloy, SIGN uses its newly-donated handheld XRF metal analyzer.

An X-ray florescence (XRF) handheld is one way to determine a given material’s chemical makeup. The portable devices are fast-acting and completely non-destructive, meaning that in its analysis, an XRF analyzer does not harm or alter the tested material. SIGN relies on its S1 SORTER handheld XRF alloy analyzer to detect supply errors, ensuring that their received material matches their specified order. For instance, XRF portables work quickly, providing a quality assurance examiner with a material’s Grade ID, such as 17-4 SS, and the chemical makeup, in roughly ten (10) seconds. In this way, XRF alloy analyzers provide the organization with quality control assurance. Additionally, SIGN uses numerous medical-grade stainless steel, ranging from 316 SS to 17-4 SS, among others. However, the end intent defines which alloy is used in manufacturing.

Because portable XRF alloy detectors work quickly, they are commonly used in medical implant manufacturing, offering on-site and nearly-instant quality control results. For instance, the devices can detect the element in a given surgical implant, thus revealing if the specified alloy was used in manufacturing. During receiving, incoming material inspection may be performed. XRF handhelds offer redundancy, providing assurance that the delivered material is indeed correct and reducing the effort of unnecessarily machining an incorrect material. SIGN’s donated XRF handheld analyzer is a useful tool in their quality assurance guidelines, which requires material certification.

The free instrument in question is an S1 SORTER handheld XRF alloy analyzer provided by Bruker Elemental. Bruker Elemental, located in Kennewick, WA, manufactures handheld XRF alloy devices. The company has a history of working with SIGN pro bono. In a statement, Bruker Elemental praised SIGN for its international humanitarian efforts. The company has assisted with analyses in the past, but noticing SIGN’s growth, Bruker Elemental gladly donated the portable device.

About Bruker Corporation:
Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR) is a leading provider of high-performance scientific instruments and solutions for molecular and materials research, as well as for industrial and applied analysis.