Industry News

Sheathed bipolar sealer for spine surgery
Medtronic, Inc. has introduced the Aquamantys® SBS 5.0 Sheathed Bipolar Sealer to provide hemostatic sealing capabilities for both incised soft tissue and epidural veins in a single device. The SBS 5.0 uses Transcollation® technology, a combination of radiofrequency energy and saline that has been shown to reduce blood loss and improve visualization when used during spine procedures, according to Medtronic.

For more information, visit www.medtronic.com

Foot and ankle solutions
Wright Medical’s ORTHOLOC™ 3Di Ankle Fracture System (A) featuring polyaxial locking technology is a single-tray ankle fracture solution designed to address a wide range of fracture types and classifications. The system provides multiple anatomically contoured plates and a comprehensive set of instrumentation designed to enable the surgeon to match the appropriate implant construct with the patient and fracture type.

In addition, the QUICKDRAW™ Soft Tissue Fixation System from Wright Medical includes BELAY™ and MINI-BELAY™ Knotless Suture Anchors, RAPPEL-LINE™ Surgical Suture, and instrumentation designed to simplify suture management and placement. When combined, these components are reported to quickly and securely fixate ruptured tendons or reattach tendons within the foot and ankle.

For more information, visit www.wmt.com/footandankle

Planning system for partial knee replacement surgery
When used with Biomet’s Oxford® Partial Knee System, the Signature™ Personalized Patient Care System helps surgeons preoperatively plan a knee replacement surgery and precisely place implants by using Signature™ custom positioning guides.

The Oxford® Partial Knee System is designed to aid surgeons preserve and restore normal knee function and movement by replacing only the diseased medial compartment of the knee. During this process, surgeons use the Signature™ system to create custom femoral and tibial surgical positioning guides that help achieve optimal joint implant positioning. The Oxford® Partial Knee is intended for use in individuals with osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis limited to the medial compartment of the knee and is intended to be implanted with bone cement. It is not indicated for use in the lateral compartment.

For more information, visit www.biomet.com

Allograft for nerve and tendon repair
MiMedx’s AmnioFix® Wrap allograft for nerve and tendon repair surgical procedures is a composite allograft structure of amniotic membrane layers formed through the proprietary Purion™ process to optimize surgical performance and ease of use. Providing a protective barrier, AmnioFix® Wrap is said to contribute to the inflammatory, proliferation, and remodeling phases of the natural healing process.

For more information, visit www.mimedx.com

Universal power system, surgical saw blades
The Zimmer Universal Power System can be configured for reaming, drilling, and sawing with a broad range of attachments, including STABLECUT® surgical saw blades (B). STABLECUT surgical saw blades feature a ground tooth set design that allows increased debris relief, channeling bone fragments away from the cutting action, helping surgeons cut through bone faster and with more stability than conventional saw blades, according to Zimmer.

For more information, visit www.zimmer.com

Advanced shoulder solutions
DePuy’s GLOBAL® UNITE™ Platform System (C) for proximal humerus fractures is designed to improve tuberosity healing. It can also be converted to a reverse shoulder arthroplasty system for treatment of arthritis with a torn rotator cuff.

The GLOBAL® STEPTECH® APG System is designed to correct excessive retroversion caused by posterior glenoid bone loss, closely recreate the original glenohumeral joint line, and minimize the removal of healthy bone. The prosthesis incorporates a proprietary step design with a spherical anterior backside surface and a conical posterior backside surface. This dual-surface design effectively counteracts posterior loading, according to DePuy.

For more information, visit www.depuy.com

Dual mobility hip system
Smith & Nephew’s POLARCUP™ Dual Mobility Hip System (D) is specifically designed to address the challenges of treating primary and revision hip arthroplasty patients who are susceptible to dislocation and need enhanced stability. The POLARCUP™ System enables surgeons to implant a smaller constrained femoral component within a larger anatomically sized polyethylene head, reportedly providing greater stability by increasing range of motion and jump distance.

For more information, visit www.smith-nephew.com

Lumbar interbody fusion device
NLT SPINE’s PROW FUSION™ Transforaminal-Lumbar Interbody Fusion (E) (TLIF) device and delivery system is intended for spinal fusion in TLIF procedures. According to the company, this non-linear technology enables the surgeon to insert a conduit, which acts as a channel for procedural implants and instruments, into a small incision. The square shape helps the conduit remain in position throughout the entire procedure. The implant or instrument is shaped as a bar of interconnected segments, which are inserted in a straight line but can form a curved configuration in situ.The implant also has a significant volume for bone graft material, allowing for greater bone graft-to-endplate contact surface area, potentially improving fusion rates.

For more information, visit www.nlt-spine.com

External fixation system for trauma applications
Orthofix’s Galaxy Fixation is a new external fixation system for use in temporary and definitive complex orthopaedic trauma applications, where rapid stabilization and fixation is essential. Galaxy Fixation incorporates a combination of clamps with both pin-to-bar and bar-to-bar coupling capabilities that provide a complete range of anatomical applications, and also includes specific units for the elbow and shoulder.

For more information, visit www.orthofix.com

AAOS Now
April 2012 Issue
http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/apr12/marketplace1.asp