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The BIOSURE HA Interference Screw and driver system incorporates many ofthe most popular features of Smith & Nephew's existing interference screws. Itis tapered for easy insertion and threaded to provide exceptional fixation.
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Surgeons who frequently reconstruct torn cruciate ligaments listen for adistinctive turning sound when inserting interference screws. "This soundtells them the screw has adequate purchase to hold the graft in place," saidDr. Walter Lowe, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist withBaylor College of Medicine. "The BIOSURE HA screw inserts securely, anddelivers the sound and feel that leave me confident that the graft will adhereproperly.
"Surgeons may elect to use the BIOSURE HA Interference Screw in any numberof ways during reconstruction. For example, the screw can be used to securethe tibial (shin) or femoral (thigh) end of an ACL graft. "The smallest sizeis ideal for use in the small bone tunnels used in anatomic ACL or PCL repair,and the larger sizes are often needed if the reconstruction needs to berevised, because of re-injury," Dr. Lowe said.
Developers designed the BIOSURE HA screw from PLA-HA, a bioabsorbablecombination of poly-L-lactic acid (PLA) combined with Hydroxyapatite (HA), achemical that is found naturally in human bone. This material remains intactuntil the graft has adhered to the bone, and then interacts with fluids in thebody until it gradually resorbs.
"By carefully listening to our customers, we were able to leverage thetechnology and design features that have provided positive patient outcomesand design a comprehensive line of devices that enable surgeons to help gettheir patients moving again," said Peter Weissman, director of Knee Repair forSmith & Nephew Endoscopy's Sports Medicine SBU.
About Us
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising inOrthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies,Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a globalleader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leadingglobal orthopaedics companies.
Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. TheCompany prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeonsand professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous withhigh standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in32 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2007 were nearly $3.4 billion.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" withinthe meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Inparticular, statements regarding planned growth in our business and in ouroperating margins discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements asare discussions of our product pipeline. These statements, as well as thephrases "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe","estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions, aregenerally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Suchforward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties andother important factors (including, but not limited to, the outcome oflitigation and regulatory approvals) that could cause the actual results,performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, or industry results, to differmaterially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed orimplied by such forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents thatSmith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissionunder the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith &Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain ofthese factors.
All forward-looking statements in this press release are based oninformation available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written ororal forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any personacting on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entiretyby the foregoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to updateor revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any changein Smith & Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events,conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
(TM)Trademark of Smith & Nephew. Certain Marks Reg. U.S. Pat. & T.M. Off.Contact: Joe Metzger Sr. Vice President, Corporate Communications Smith & Nephew Endoscopy (978) 749-1330 [email protected]
SOURCE Smith & Nephew
