MedShape gets CE mark for Morphix

MedShape Solutions has received CE mark approval for its Morphix Suture Anchor. As found on their website:

The CE Marking confirms that both medical devices comply with the essential requirements of relevant European health, safety, and environmental protection legislation, and have been subjected to conformity assessment procedures. Receipt of the CE Marking allows MedShape Solutions to market and sell the Morphix Anchor and the ExoShape Interference Fixation Device in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area. The company has begun discussions with third party distributors across the region.

Morphix is a suture anchor manufactured from MedShape’s shape memory PEEK Altera biomedical polymer. The device received FDA 510(k) clearance in September 2009 and has been fully commercially launched in the U.S. 

Find out more information about the Morhpix Bone Anchor on their product page. 

It's Official: Synthes & Depuy to Merger

In an email to investors released just this morning, Synthes and Depuy (Johnson & Johnson) have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Johnson & Johnson will acquire Synthes for $21.3 billion. Once this transaction is complete, the two companies combined will comprise the largest orthopedic medical devise company in the world. "Depuy and Synthes Together will create the most innovative and comprehensive orthropaedic business in the world and enable us to better serve clinicians and patients worldwide, "said Bill Weldon, Chairman and Chief Executive Office of Johnson & Johnson.


Check out the various product by Synthes and Depuy.

SBi's STAR Total Ankle Now Reaching More Patients

LifeWise health plans in Washington, Alaska and Oregon has revised their policies to include coverage of the STAR total ankle replacement from Small Bone Innovations.  This means increasing the number of patients who are potentially covered to a total of 161 million or 92% of the privately insured.  As the only total ankle replacement system approved through the FDA's PMA process, the STAR ankle proved itself in efficacy and safety in comparison to fusion in a 2009 study.

Synthes and DePuy to Merge??

As reported by The Wall Street Journal on Friday and confirmed in a statement by Synthes earlier today by email, Synthes and Depuy have been in talks to potentially merger.

In response to market speculation, Synthes, Inc. (SIX Swiss Exchange: SYST.VX), confirms that it is engaged in discussions with Johnson & Johnson about a potential business combination transaction.  No assurance can be given as to whether, when or on what terms any possible transaction might occur. Synthes does not intend to make any further public statements unless and until a definitive agreement has been reached, or until discussions between the parties have terminated.

This merger would create the world's largest orthopedic device company with an annual output of nearly $9.3 billion dollars. The combined firm would also account for roughly 28% of the overall market followed by #2 Stryker and #3 Zimmer at 14% and 13%.


Check out the various product by Synthes and Depuy.

New Tribrid Technology from OrthoHelix

OrthoHelix Surgical Designs Inc. has recently launched a variable angle locking screw option.  The new Tribrid™ Technology incorporated into the MaxLock Extreme® plates offered from OrthoHelix allows for the use of non-locking, fixed angle locking and now, variable angle locking screws.  With the addition of a PEEK ring (made from PEEK-OPTIMA® polymer, by Invibio Biomaterial Solutions) the hole in the plate allows for a variable angle locking screw to be inserted creating a locked construct.  The screw can be inserted with up to 30 degrees of conical freedom.  The PEEK ring comes with a disposable driver designed to fit with the 3.5mm variable angle locking screw.  


To see a video illustration of the use of this new technology click here


View the OthoHelix Surgical Designs page for all available device options 

44 Cases of Arthrex Mini TightRope for Metatarsus Primus Varus

Stephen Kayiaros, MD, Brad D. Blankenhorn, MD, Jordan Dehaven, DPM, Hans Van Lancker, BA, Peter Sardells, DPM, James T. Pascalides, DPM, Christopher W. DiGiovanni, MD

Foot & Anke Specialist: April 13, 2011 Online Before Print

A new journal article released online before print is now up at Foot and Ankle Specialist involving the treatment of Hallux Abducto Valgus with metatarsus primus varus and the use of the Arthrex Mini TightRope. This study looks back at 44 surgical cases (36 patients) who were treated with the alternative fixation and their overall results. 

Radiographic angles including the hallux valgus angle, the first intermetatarsal angle and the distal metatarsal articular angle all improved. Additionally, the average AOFAS midfoot outcome socres improved from 45.44 to 84.72. Only one patient encountered a reoccurrence of the hallux valgus deformity. The group concluded that correcting metatarsus primus varus in association with hallux valgus deformity using the Arthrex Mini TightRope should be considered a treatment option along with proximal first metatarsal osteotomy or Lapidus arthrodesis.

Check out more information on the Arthrex Mini TightRope as well as additional products by Arthrex here. 

View all of your options for Hallux Abducto Valgus: Proximal Osteotomy and Hallux Abducto Valgus: Lapidus Arthrodesis here.

Emerge Medical Aims to Cut Surgical Cost Through Implant Commoditization

Emerge Medical, Inc. is contributing to reducing the cost of health care by cutting down on surgical implant cost. The company is currently focusing on core devices that are easily standardized for use across multiple procedures and have low physician preference. Starting with Cannulated screws, Emerge Medical is targeting hospitals, department heads, and surgeons by providing them with generic implants. They claim an average savings of 40% on their website. Read more about Emerge Medical's CEO John Marotta and his interview with Medical Device Daily here.

You can find out more information on Emerge Medical's Cannulated Screws here on their product page.

1st MPJ Arthrodesis with Locking Plate & Calcaneal Autograft

Dr. Glass is known for his exceptional foot and ankle animations and this one is no exception. Check out his latest animation on revisional 1st MPJ arthrodesis with calcaneal autograft and a locking plate. The animation demonstrates the application of a hypothetical locking plate and importance of stabilizing the autogenous graft with the locking screws.

This animation and other Dr. Glass videos can be found here at www.drglass.org/ 
Check out the 1st MPJ Arthrodesis Procedure Page for more fixation options including the current plating options.

Twist Subtalar Implant Now Online with Trilliant Surgical

As we previously reported that Trilliant Surgical had received notice of FDA 510(k) approval for its Twist Subtalar Implant system, the implant is now viewable on their website. The Twist is the first of two scheduled subtalar implant lines for Trilliant Surgical.


View the Subtalar Joint Implant page to see what options are currently available.

New products coming from Wright Medical and Ascension Orthopedics

On display at The Podiatry Institute Reconstructive Surgery of the Foot & Ankle 2011 Update meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on April 1^st, both Ascension Orthopedics and Wright Medical displayed new fixation options that are new and soon to be officially launched. Ascension Orthopedics had on display their new ankle fusion plates, with both an anterior and medial plating option. Wright Medical also had on display their new Ortholoc 3Di Ankle Fracture System. This system offers an array of plating options from a medial, anterior, and lateral plating approach.

You can read more about the various products that Ascension Orthopedics and Wright Medical carries on their individual product pages.

Depuy Orthopaedics Receives 510(k) Clearance for A.L.P.S. Total Foot System

DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. announced 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the A.L.P.S. Total Foot System.

The A.L.P.S. Total Foot System includes nine anatomically contoured plates and both locking and non-locking screw options for use in reconstructive and trauma procedures of the forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot. The new plating technology enables intra-operative customization to accommodate patient-specific anatomy without compromising strength. Advanced screw technologies in the system offer surgeons the ability in select plates to choose from up to five different screw options for the locking holes.

Find our more about the various products that DePuy Orthopaedics carries on their product page.