• ELBOW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
• LOW-DOSE X-RAY IMAGER
• NEW SUTURE ANCHOR
  
  

ELBOW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Small Bone Innovations, Inc. has announced the augmentation of its Elbow Management System with the launch of the rHead™ Lateral Radial Head Implant System and the rHead™ Plating System for internal fixation of proximal radius fractures. The rHead Lateral Implant is a side-loading radial head prosthesis that allows for a minimally invasive approach and exposure in radial head replacement surgery. The head and stem of the implant connect by means of a dove-tail locking mechanism that does not require a set screw. The rHead implant and new plating systems have received 510(k) clearance by the FDA. The rHead Lateral is indicated for treatment of arthritic and traumatic conditions of the radial head. The stem of the rHead Lateral implant is plasma coated with titanium for immediate stability in the canal and optimum osteo-integrating properties. As with SBi’s existing rHead implants, the stem has a 12° curve to match the anatomy of the radius. This stem is available with a 2-mm standard collar or a 6-mm extended collar. A unique feature of the system is the coupling mechanism between the radial head and stem that enables the prosthesis to be implanted sideways to reduce ligament disruption. The new rHead Lateral implant comes with an assembly tool for quick engagement or disengagement of the head and stem. The accompanying impactor tool is configured to ensure precise positioning of the implant by referencing the surrounding anatomy, For more information, contact, Small Bone Innovations, Inc., 1380 S. Pennsylvania Avenue Morrisville, PA 190670 phone: (800) 778-8837 fax (866) SBi-0002 www.totalsmallbone.com

LOW-DOSE X-RAY IMAGER

Biospace has announced that it has received 510k clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market EOS, a new digital X-ray imager in the United States for 2D imaging use. EOS 2D/3D technology is part of a total solution to orthopedic imaging allowing images to be obtained with a low dose of radiation and is capable of long-length digital imaging, permitting full-body, uninterrupted digital imaging with a single scan. Biospace notes that information submitted to FDA in support of its marketing application demonstrated up to 10 times reduction in dose when compared with commercially available film systems—without compromising image quality. The company points to other features that set EOS apart from traditional X-ray or computed tomography (CT): it captures a full or partial body image; it provides a large reduction in radiation dose; multi-planar (frontal and lateral) images are obtained simultaneously in an upright, weight-bearing position, and the whole-body, standing position imaging it affords is especially useful when one examines spine and joint alignment. EOS’s use of slot-scanning technology eliminates vertical distortion. The simultaneous bi-plane image acquisition (front and side images acquired at the same time) eliminates the need for taking a second view and can save time. To learn more, contact, Biospace 2470 Windy Hill Road, Suite #303 Marietta, GA  30067 phone (404) 518-8591 fax (770) 640-1478 www.biospacemed.com.

NEW SUTURE ANCHOR

Smith & Nephew’s Endoscopy Division announced the launch of the KINSA® RC 5.5 Suture Anchor, designed to provide secure repair of shoulder injuries stemming from tears to the rotator cuff. The KINSA RC Suture Anchor is the second in Smith & Nephew Endoscopy’s line of KINSA suture anchors. The original KINSA anchor, for treatment of shoulder instability, was released in 2006. Both KINSA anchors encase a sliding, self-locking knot that permits the surgeon to secure the repair without tying knots on top of the tissue. Smith & Nephew notes that while surgical knots in arthroscopic repairs can sometimes loosen or cause irritation of surrounding tissue, the KINSA RC anchor delivers “low-profile” repair, without knots or protrusions to interfere with the joint motion. The anchor is said to be well suited for “double-row” fixation. A surgeon taps the anchor into the bone surface and then seats it with a final twist. The surgeon controls the amount of tension applied to the repair by manually tightening the KINSA suture. The KINSA RC anchor is about 1⁄2-inch in length and made from an implantable PEEK-OPTIMA® polymer from Invibio®, which closely matches the density of cortical bone. The implants do not show up on X-rays or distort magnetic resonance images, as metal anchors would. To learn more, contact, Smith & Nephew Endoscopy 150 Minuteman Road Andover, MA 01810 phone (800) 343-5717 www.smith-nephew.com.