New Knee Product Cleared for OMNIlife Science

OMNIlife science Inc. received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for its Apex Posterior Stabilized (PS) Knee, the latest addition to the Apex product family. The design, which has been positively received by the European market since its 2010 debut, is expected to make its U.S. launch by the end of 2011.

“We believe that the design of the Apex PS Knee will set a new standard in the orthopedic industry that will benefit both patients and surgeons,” said George Cipolletti, CEO of OMNIlife science Inc. and Orthopaedic Synergy Inc.

The new design offers a post and cam system while sustaining key design elements of the existing Apex Cruciate Retaining (CR) Knee. It also allows up to an additional 30 degrees of uninterrupted patella track, which potentially reduces the chances of patella “clunk,” according to the company. In addition, a single step reaming process allows an intraoperative transition from a CR Knee to a PS Knee based on surgeon preference. Finally, the intercondylar fossa for the location of the Apex PS Knee “box” cut allows for as much as a 90 percent reduction in the bone removed compared to some competitive PS knee designs.

“I really enjoy using the instruments for the Apex PS knee; it’s certainly the easiest and most repeatable box cut that I have ever made,” said Anthony F. Infante, Jr., D.O., of the Florida Orthopaedic Institute. “In the past, I’ve typically used an ultra congruent insert for posterior stabilization because of the amount of bone that was removed in a typical PS Knee. With the OMNI system, the amount of additional bone that is removed is so insignificant I have no problem using this PS Knee in all of my patients.”

OMNIlife science is based in East Taunton, Mass., and is a subsidiary of Raynham, Mass.-headquartered Orthopaedic Synergy Inc.