ANDOVER, Mass., March 10 Smith & Nephew's (NYSE: SNN; LSE: SN) Endoscopy Division today announced the launch of the BIORAPTOR(TM) Knotless Suture Anchor, a device used to repair a torn labrum in the hip and shoulder. The anchor is among products featured at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting, which began today in New Orleans.
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The fundamental outcome in any surgical repair of a torn labrum is a tight fixation of soft tissue to bone through the use of anchors and suture to provide the best opportunity for healing. A surgeon's control over the amount of suture tension across the labrum is a critical element in a successful repair.
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Leveraging technology from the previously launched FOOTPRINT(TM) PK Suture Anchor, a two-piece proprietary design enables the surgeon to determine the final suture tension and tissue shift after implantation, which is not possible with competitive anchors.
"Smith & Nephew has been building on an innovative technology base to introduce new anchors for shoulder and hip repair. The BIORAPTOR Knotless Suture Anchor for both shoulder and hip labral repairs offers the surgeon greater control over the suture tension placed across the labral tissue while eliminating knot-tying and a knot stack," commented Dr. Mike Terry, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine.
"Providing surgeons full control over final suture tension was our main focus during the development process," commented Laurie Staveski, senior market manager, Smith & Nephew Endoscopy. In addition, by eliminating a traditional knot-tying step, surgeons will also save time with less procedural steps and benefit from a surgical solution that minimizes the risk of intra-articular damage due to knot stacks."
Editor's note: Labral repairs are necessary when the labrum, a meniscus-like cartilage ring that rims the joint socket, tears or becomes stretched due to impingement or injury. Damage to the labrum in the hip may be a source of chronic pain and may also contribute to osteoarthritis. In the shoulder, this damage can lead to instability where the humerus or upper arm bone slips out of the socket. In standard procedures, surgeons reattach the labrum to the bony socket of the joint using small anchors and suture.
(TM) Trademark of Smith & Nephew. Certain Marks Reg. U.S. Pat. & T.M. Off.
About Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.
Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in 31 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2009 were $3.8 billion.
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Contact: Joe Metzger SVP, Corporate Communications Smith & Nephew Endoscopy (978) 749-1330 [email protected]
SOURCE Smith & Nephew, Inc.
