New Demineralized Bone Matrix Product Offered by Zimmer

Zimmer Spine Inc. recently launched in the U.S. market its Puros Demineralized Bone Matrix (DBM) Block and Strip—bone graft substitutes designed to stimulate natural bone formation processes in spinal surgery.

Used alone or as a bone graft extender, Puros DBM allografts provide osteoconductive (the process by which bone grows on a surface) and osteoinductive (stimulating bone growth) properties, improved handling and excellent graft containment in a ready-to-use application, according to Zimmer. The block and strip are flexible and compressible once rehydrated, and are available in various sizes and shapes to reduce transplant preparation time.

Puros DBM Block and Strip are bone graft substitutes composed of 100-percent demineralized cancellous bone. They are “ideal” natural scaffolds for new bone growth, according to company officials, because they are processed to retain osteoinductive properties by preserving endogenous growth factors including BMP2, BMP4 and BMP7 to help support new bone formation. The allografts are used during surgical procedures to help promote bone growth and joint stability.

The technology was provided through a partnership with Centennial, Colo.-based AlloSource, a non-profit organization that offers more than 200 types of precise bone, skin, soft-tissue and custom machined allografts for use in medical procedures. The organization provides cellular tissue processing, including fresh skin allografts for severe burns, fresh cartilage tissue for joint repair and adult mesenchymal stem cells.

“These new Puros DBM products minimize the need for shaping during the surgical procedure, are provided sterile, and have up to a five-year shelf life,” said Steve Healy, president of Zimmer Spine. “Adding these new DBMs to our biologics portfolio will provide surgeons with an off-the-shelf allograft at a good value to the hospital.”

Zimmer Spine is based in Minneapolis, Minn., and is a division of Warsaw, Ind.-headquartered Zimmer Holdings Inc., which makes orthopedic reconstructive, trauma devices, dental implants, and related surgical products. Zimmer’s 2013 sales were approximately $4.6 billion.