Metal Analyzer Donated to SIGN by Bruker Elemental Will Be Used for Verifying Surgical Implants

Kennewick, Washington – July 5, 2011 – In its ever-evolving charity to Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN), a humanitarian non-profit, Bruker Elemental has given a handheld XRF metal analyzer to the organization. In a statement by John Landefeld, Managing Director of Bruker Elemental’s Handheld division, the company commended SIGN, which provides innovate orthopedic surgical implants to the needy globally, for its selfless goal to share modern-day medical care to those who cannot afford it. Before this donation, Bruker Elemental has freely aided SIGN with material analyses. However, Mr. Landefeld noted that “[the non-profit’s] growth had driven the need for an on-site instrument, so we are happy to provide this to SIGN.” Both the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) portable manufacturer, Bruker Elemental, and the human rights organization, SIGN, operate out of Washington State. The donated XRF alloy analyzer will assist SIGN to detect if the appropriate elements are present in their innovative orthopedic surgical implants.

XRF handhelds are a safe and non-destructive method used by the medical implant manufacturing industry to detect the chemical composition of a given material for quality assurance. Bruker Elemental’s portable alloy spectrometers may be used to inspect individual medical implants, ensuring that in manufacturing, the correct element was used. When deliverables arrive, intake material inspection can be performed with a XRF handheld, ensuring that the material ordered is the material received. An inspector, using a portable XRF alloy analyzer, can test a material for quality control quickly because the device provides results (I.e. a material’s chemical composition and a material’s Grade ID) in about ten (10) seconds.

For SIGN, material certification is a company quality assurance requirement. The organization’s donated XRF alloy portable enables SIGN to quickly and efficiently analyze a material for supply errors. SIGN uses multiple different medical-grade stainless steel in manufacturing, and the desired end use determines which alloy is selected. For quality assurance, XRF handhelds ensure that SIGN has received the correct ordered material.
SIGN, located in Richland, WA, works alongside over 4,000 local surgeons worldwide, assisting underprivileged people in developing countries. A team of SIGN engineers and workers have developed a distinct orthopedic surgical implant system, which SIGN staff and local surgeons use on-site in an effort to prevent permanent disabilities in fracture and traumatic injury patients. In an effort to share modern surgical methods, SIGN also educates and trains native surgeons in the developing world.

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.