Orthopaedics

Abyrx, Inc., has partnered with SurgiCor, LLC to significantly expand the distribution of its hemostatic bone putty products (AHBP™, Hemasorb™, Hemasorb Apply™, and Hemasorb Plus™) to orthopedic and spine surgeries throughout the United States.

It looks like the courts are going to have to decide whether Cayenne Medical’s AperFix system has been infringed by MedShape’s ExoShape femoral soft tissue fastener. As usual, the devil will be in the detail, because face value tells us they look pretty similar.

After all the hoo haa of the last few years pertaining to the damaging outcome of some metal-on-metal hip implants, US patient advocacy group The Drugs Watchdog has now issued a press release strongly suggesting DePuy Pinnacle all metal hip implantees contact it to discuss their options, the most likely suggestion being to demand an MRI.

Smith & Nephew has used the AAOS annual meeting at which to announce the launch of the JOURNEY™ II Cruciate Retaining knee replacement which it says will address about half of all knee replacement cases.

Smith & Nephew says its newly launched DYONICS PLAN system allows surgeons to visualize, assess and generate a comprehensive surgical report for each patient’s unique Femoroacetabular impingement surgery before that patient ever enters the operating room.

German industrial chemicals outfit, Evonik corporation has its finger in many pies and is trumpeting the success of its VESTAKEEP PEEK material, which has found its way into many medical devices. They’d like to tell you more at AAOS this week.

Stryker Corporation tells us it has completed its previously announced all-cash acquisition of Pivot Medical Inc., a move the Kalamazoo device company will hope enhances its position in the orthopaedic sports medicine and arthroscopy specialties.

The U.S. FDA has cleared Maxx Orthopaedics’ Freedom PCK Revision Knee System claimed by its manufacturer to be one of the most bone-conserving, low profile revision knee systems available on the market.

Exactech, Inc. has taken the opportunity presented by this week’s AAOS meeting to announce successful first surgeries using its new Equinoxe® Resurfacing Humeral Head.

It’s AAOS week in New Orleans and less invasive joint restoration company Arthrosurface, Inc.has chosen the event to announce receipt of FDA Clearance for its new ToeMotion™ Total Toe Restoration System.

Smith & Nephew which has signed an agreement with OrthoSensor that will pair the company’s VERASENSE Sensor Assisted Surgery Technology for soft tissue balancing with Smith & Nephew’s JOURNEY™ II and LEGION™ Total Knee Systems.

It’s the annual AAOS congress this week, an event so etched into the lives of the orthopaedic community worldwide that’s it’s become known simply as “Academy”. This year it’s in New Orleans, so attendees would be well advised to leave next weekend free for recovery.

Whether this is a milestone or not remains to be seen, but it just might be. The PEEK polymer has become a household name in orthopaedic implants and now MedShape is offering devices with the combined advantages of PEEK and a porous structure to encourage tissue ingrowth.

Artificial muscle is so much harder to develop than any number of joints or even organs like heart valves. After all, muscles need to be active rather than passive participants in making bodily things happen. A U.S. research team has published its efforts in this month’s Science journal and they sound promising.

New entrant into the orthopaedic device space, EDGE Orthopaedics has its first FDA 510(k) Clearance in the form of a range of compression screws.

Clever idea this. The FDA has just cleared a system known as KASM from Ortho Developments Corporation. These spacer molds are intended for use after removal of primary TKA implants following infection and offer a degree of articulation to the patient.