A month ago we covered news of Acumed’s new foray into pelvic trauma with the launch of its Pelvic Plating System. Hot on the heels of that announcement comes news that the company has launched its new Polarus 3 Solution for proximal humerus fracture system.
Background
Acumed’s new Polarus 3 Solution is an evolutionary step from its previous offering and incorporates both plate and nail implants into a single system for the surgical repair of proximal humerus fractures. Unlike multiple repair systems for plates or nails, it is a single system with multiple implants allowing for greater intraoperative flexibility.
Polarus 3 Solution offers two plate options – Standard and Posterior, as well as two intramedullary nail options – Proximal and Distal, offering the surgeon multiple options to address patient fracture needs.
Additionally, instrumentation for positioning and fracture reduction is shared, so no matter which implant the surgeon chooses – plate or nail – the single instrumentation set may be used for either implant.
Polarus 3 Solution utilizes a single 4.3 mm low-profile hexalobe screw for both the plate and nail, which is intended to minimize inventory and mitigate confusion between screw families. The use of a single 2.8 mm drill and driver additionally creates a more straightforward approach by removing the need for multiple sizes and diameters.
Nail improvements include a straighter design than the original Polarus Nail, creating a more medial entry point, which may minimize rotator cuff disruption. The nail also has a PEEK insert creating locking screw friction and more distal hole offerings for more fixation points.
The Polarus 3 Proximal Humerus Plates are designed to fit an array of patient anatomies and are left and right specific in order to capture the anatomy of the greater tuberosity.
The new plates sit lower than the previous generation Proximal Humeral Plate so as not to impinge on the acromion. Additionally, there are three dedicated calcar support screws intended to prevent the humerus from collapsing medially as well as more screw options in the humeral head.
Company comments
“We wanted to simplify the instrumentation and offer a comprehensive system to meet the combined needs of domestic and international surgeons,” says Rich Rice, Acumed Vice President of Extremities, Trauma, and Biologics – Business Development. “In general, US surgeons predominantly use plates and international surgeons tend to use intramedullary nails, but we believe the market is moving back towards a mix of implants to accommodate various fracture patterns.”
“Since only one of these implants would be used in any given surgery, the Acumed Polarus 3 advantage is that a surgeon can make the decision without needing any other systems in the operating room.”
Source: Acumed, Inc., PR Newswire
published: April 24, 2014 in: Launches / Withdrawals, Shoulder