AAOS 2010 Annual Meeting

RTIBiologics Inc. has unveiled two new biologic implants to treat sports injuries.

The products were launched at the 77th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in New Orleans, La. In a news release, RTIBiologics described its BTBSelect as an "allograft that provides precision sized tendons for ACL reconstruction," and its BioCAPSelect as a composite allograft plug for customized bone void filling.

The BTBSelect allows surgeons to precisely match the intra-articular length of the BTB(bone-tendon-bone) transplant. The implant is sterilized through RTI's BioCleanse process, which inactivates or removes potential pathogens from tissue using a specific formula while maintaining the tissue's biomechanical properties, the company said.

Surgeons match the precise intra-articular length of the implant by using an assembled cortical bone block in conjunction with an Achilles tendon, the company said. The assembled cortical block features a proprietary anti-slip design, and the natural bone blockallows for various types of fixations.

"The BTBSelect is an allograft solution that addresses an overall market shift toward shorter BTBs, which are more difficult to recover [from] naturally,"explained Roger Rose, RTI's executive vice president. "This product addresses a signficant clinical need and ensures that we maximize every gift of donation received."

RTIexecutives introduced the BioCAPSelect to help broaden the company's sports medicine portfolio. The product marks RTI's entrance into the area of Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System (OATS), a common procedure to treat small cartilage lesions.

The BioCAPSelect is described by RTI as a fully biological bone void filler that can fill spaces created by OATS. Empty spaces often lead to pain and/or discomfort if left uncreated, the company said. Like the BTBSelect, this implant is sterilized through the company's own processes - its demineralized cortical cap is run through the Cancelle SPDBMsterilization process, while the cancellous plug is sterilized through the BioCleanse Tissue sterilization process.

RTIhas made the BTBSelect commercially available, but is limiting the release of its BioCAPSelect.

Based in Alachua, Fla., RTIBiologics provides sterile biologic implants to corporate customers and patients worldwide.