DePuy Synthes Releases Bone Matrix

DePuy Synthes Spine, in collaboration with DePuy Synthes Biomaterials, has released Conform Sheet, a hydrated, pliable and totally demineralized cancellous bone matrix designed to fill voids during posterolateral spinal fusion surgery and provides a natural scaffold for new bone formation. DePuy Synthes Inc. is a Johnson & Johnson company.

The new allograft implant, processed by the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF), has both osteoinductive (encouraging undifferentiated cells to become active osteoblasts) and osteoconductive (guiding the reparative growth of the natural bone) properties. Through a demineralization process, bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) are exposed, providing Conform Sheet its osteoinductive properties, while the cancellous structure of the scaffold provides osteoconductive characteristics. Conform Sheet is reportedly wickable: it readily absorbs various hydrating fluids including bone marrow aspirate, blood or saline. When combined with bone marrow aspirate, Conform Sheet becomes osteogenic (lays down new bone cells).

“Conform Sheet has excellent handling characteristics,” said Khalid Sethi, M.D., FACS, chief of neurosurgery at United Health Services Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, N.Y. “It is compressible for precise placement, where it can then expand to fill the bone void. It is packaged in a hydrated state, which eliminates the need for rehydration and there is no implant migration upon irrigation.”

Conform Sheet is offered in four sizes, which may be cut to accommodate irregular shaped anatomy. The implant may be used with DePuy Synthes Spine Matrix MIS pedicle screw system and Expendium spine system, as well as other systems for spinal fusion.

“By adding Conform Sheet to our spine portfolio, we continue to provide customers with robust procedural solutions to treat their spine patients,” said Max Reinhardt, worldwide president, DePuy Synthes Spine. “We are pleased to collaborate across DePuy Synthes companies with our Biomaterials colleagues to offer complete solutions that advance patient care. This is an excellent example of how, together, DePuy Synthes companies can meet the needs of hospitals and health care systems.”

DePuy Synthes Spine makes devices for traditional and minimally invasive spine treatment. DePuy Synthes Biomaterials makes devices to complement the use of traditional metal implants in trauma, spine and cranio-maxillofacial surgical procedures. DePuy Synthes Spine headquarters are in Raynham, Mass.