I have used various hoof repair and dental methacrylate products successfully, why would I consider switching to Acrylx?

Acrylx is a methacrylate based product so you will be familiar with use. However, Acrylx has little, if any, of the offensive odor commonly associated with use of PMMA products. In addition, Acrylx does not require pre-mixing or measuring so it is cleaner, easier and faster to apply than what you have previously used.

What is the typical set up time for Acrylx?

Twelve minutes at room temperature. You have about 2-4 minutes to adjust reduction and alignment, then the limb and column should be held without motion until set is complete. It is important not to have Acrylx (or any other resins) in motion during the actual cure period. Allow a minimum of 12 total minutes from tube fill until final anesthesia recovery or limb manipulation.

What is the best way to determine if an Acrylx column has completely cured (hardened)?

The safest and most reliable method is to use a watch or timer. Allow a full 12 minutes after application before moving the frame. Up to 4 minutes after application is acceptable to fine tune reduction, then eliminate any additional motion during the cure process. Do not wiggle or pinch the column during the cure period to determine hardness. 12 minutes will coincide with maximum exotherm followed by a brief cooling period.

Why does IMEX emphasize this product for avian, exotic, feline, toy breeds and mandibular fractures?

These are cases that frequently present difficulties using traditional linear connecting bars and clamps. With very small patients, even clamps positioned adjacent to one another often result in inadequate pin number in a bone fragment. The small bone fragments and small pins required often result in pins being out of normal planes. A construct that is compact but strong, while allowing pin diameter and location freedom, is often required. Mechanical frames on mandibular fractures of larger patients are possible but difficult to apply and keep clean postoperatively. Acrylic and pin frames solve these problems.

The Acrylx applicator gun appears the same as a gun I have. Can I use my gun with the Acrylx cartridge?

Maybe. This type of gun is commonly used in the dental and adhesive market. There is more than one style and some companies use more than one gun. The Acrylx applicator gun is designed for 1:1 and 2:1 cartridge systems. This information is usually on the gun. Applicator guns for ProTemp or Integrity are not compatible. Check your gun for information near the handle and call IMEX with any questions. The cost of Acrylx, compared to many dental products is so favorable that purchase of another gun if required becomes insignificant.

Does an ESF column of Acrylx interfere with radiographic evaluation of fracture reduction and healing?

No, IMEX specifically formulated Acrylx to eliminate barium and other radiodense components that might interfere with radiographic evaluation of fracture management.

Can I use Acrylx to construct ESF frames on larger patients?

Acrylx is similar in strength to commonly used dental two-part methacrylate resins which are sometimes used for larger patients. Large patients often require a 20 to 25 mm diameter column in lengths of 200 to 250 mm that may require multiple cartridges of Acrylx to build an adequate frame. This required-volume results in traditional products being at a significant economic advantage.

Once I have opened and used an Acrylx cartridge, does all of the resin have to be used or lost?

No, one of the advantages of Acrylx is that unused resin in the cartridge remains viable for future cases. The mixing tip used for the application is simply left on the cartridge to act as a cap until next use. At next use, the old mixing tip is removed and a new one is applied. You are then ready for another application.

The cartridge provides multi-use potential, but how many cases will I get from a single cartridge?

This depends on the diameter and length of the external columns. Based on several avian skeleton model applications averaging a 100 mm length of 6 mm tube, approximately 9 cases could be performed with a single resin cartridge. A single cartridge will fill approximately 45 cm of 10 mm tube and 100 cm of 6 mm tube.

I applied an Acrylx fixator and after 20 minutes the column remained pliable. What did I do wrong?

Motion of the resin column during the liquid-to-solid phase change is likely to result in a number of fissures. Fissured resin contained within corrugated tubing gives the feel of pliability when it is actually fully hardened.

My Acrylx remains sticky at the surface well after it should be hardened. Does this mean the resin has not hardened properly?

No, what you feel is known as the “oxygen inhibited layer,” a by-product of the cure process. Customers filling tubing columns often do not even notice this layer, but it is obvious to those who are applying Acrylx over bent pins or performing similar “open” application. As long as this layer is intact and clean, one can add additional Acrylx and expect an excellent bond. If desired, this layer can simply be wiped away with isopropyl alcohol on a gauze pad or cotton ball.

Does Acrylx generate an exothermic reaction like my hoof and dental powder and liquid products?

Yes, Acrylx generates heat as it sets up. Informal laser probe analysis indicates it does not generate more heat than commonly used hoof or powder/liquid dental mix products, which have proven safety records when constructing even larger columns. With the small tube diameter used to create Acrylx external columns, potential for bone damage at pin locations is even less likely.

What is the shelf-life of a cartridge?

Acrylx shelf-life is currently labeled for 18 months from manufacture and can be prolonged by refrigeration. It is best to allow the resin to adjust to room temperature prior to clinical application; keeping viscosity and set time consistent.

Are the mixing tips, tubes, applicator gun and cartridge sterile?

No, these are all non-sterile. Customers typically use a two-phase technique when applying acrylic and pin frames. The first phase is the sterile phase and includes surgical approach, reduction, pin application and closure. The second, non-sterile phase, includes application of tubing mold and Acrylx followed by any final reduction and cure. Occasionally, surgeons have sterilized these components using ethylene oxide, but it has not been proven that the actual resin is sterile.

What ESF pins are most commonly used with Acrylx frames?