DePuy Mitek Unveils Pair of Sports Medicine Systems

During the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting in SanDiego, Calif., DePuy Mitek, Inc., launched its Healix Transtend implant system, a minimally invasive procedural solution for the repair of partially torn rotator cuffs. The company also released the Vapr Vue system with Coolpulse technology, a new radiofrequency device that ablates tissue more quickly at equal or less heat than standard radiofrequency devices, according to DePuy officials. Both technologies have been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration through the 510(k) process.

During AAOS DePuy Mitek celebrated its 25th anniversary in orthopedic sports medicine.

“DePuy Mitek is constantly striving to improve or develop new sports medicine and soft tissue repair technologies and treatments that enable surgeons to optimize minimally invasive procedures so we can help patientsreturn to the activities they love ,” said Ian Lawson, worldwide president, DePuy Mitek, Inc.

The Healix product is a system of anchors and instrumentation that is designed to reduce the complexity of a partial articular-sided tendon Avulsion (PASTA) repair, a procedure in which surgeons re-affix the partially detached rotator cuff tendon to the bone. The goal is to produce an anatomic repair that reduces pain, minimizes damage to shoulder tissue and improves function.

“This innovative new system will help facilitate the PASTA repair option. It is easy to use andstreamlines the procedure to accommodate surgeon preferences allowing a percutaneous transtendon repair technique that provides secure fixation and preserves the intact fibers of the rotator cuff,” said Mark H. Getelman, M.D., of the Southern California Orthopedic Institute.

The VApr Vue system uses proprietary radiofrequency technology for quick and targeted ablation that minimizes charring and the risk of damage to healthy tissue.In-vitro testing demonstrated 20.4 percent faster ablation than the leading competitive device at equal or less heat, according to the company. The system also delivers a clear and sustained field of vision to optimize surgical efficiency, officials said, noting that ablation settings can be adjusted quickly and easily via the generator, hand controls, or wired or wireless footswitch.

DePuy Mitek, a division of Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy division, develops arthroscopic surgical solutions that address the challenges of soft tissue repair in the shoulder, knee and other joints, as well as non-surgical therapies.