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The fracture repair market stands to remain one of the stronger orthopaedic segments over the next five years based upon its reach across all demographics. A closer look at notable technologies recently launched or still in development, though, indicates a focus on compromised or low-quality bone, mainly found in the older population.
Nearly nine million osteoporosis-related fractures—one every three seconds—occur worldwide annually, according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). Of these fractures, 1.7 million occurred at the forearm, 1.6 million at the hip and 1.4 million were clinical vertebral fractures in 2000, the latest data available from IOF.
To be successful, innovative products must meet the needs of the aging population and recognize industry’s clinical and economic pressures, such as the demand for less invasive procedures, quicker recovery time and fewer complications. Here are a few emerging companies—and their technologies—seeking to realize that definition of success.
Audax Medical
Arxis is a biomaterial under development for use in multiple applications for the regeneration of diseased bone, cartilage and other soft tissues.
- May be employed as a minimally invasive injectable therapy or as a preformed implant
- Provides mechanical support to an injury site while stimulating tissue regeneration
- “Twin-base linker” molecules, made of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen and packed with antibiotics and bone growth factors, aggregate as a liquid at room temperature and solidify at body temperature, easily integrating with bone.
Element Orthopedics
The Serpentine Composite Grafting System may be used to treat vertebral body compression fractures and subchondral bone insufficiency. Element Orthopedics expects to pursue U.S. clearance and CE Mark approval for the technology.
- Physicians concurrently inject bead-chain solids and a fluent settable material into bone, controlling the deposition of fill material, including location, direction, quantity of fill material and flow
- Beads and fluent materials are injected without using pressure through a gun that has three modes – forward, reverse and cut
GenOssis
The early-stage device company developed OptOssol Hand Compression Screws and Rods. “Optimized Osteogenesis Solutions” (OptOssol) includes a scalable portfolio for the hand, wrist, humerus and other applications.
- Designed to enable higher compression of small fragments to support better bone healing
- Used to treat scaphoid bone, which is prone to nonunions
IlluminOss Medical
The Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System is CE Mark approved for fracture alignment reduction in light- to low-load-bearing bones.
- Utilizes a light-curable polymer contained within an expandable PET balloon catheter to achieve stabilization
- Procedure performed through small percutaneous surgical approach • Cured implant conforms to the geometry of a patient’s intramedullary canal
Woven Orthopedic Technologies
The biotextile startup intends to seek U.S. and Europe regulatory approval in 2015 for its system that addresses screw failure by increasing screw and bone fixation.
- Implant is placed into bone prior to screw insertion
- Manufactured to work in conjunction with all screw types
- Uses materials found in other popular implants
The fracture repair market stands to remain one of the stronger orthopaedic segments over the next five years based upon its reach across all demographics. A closer look at notable technologies recently launched or still in development, though, indicates a focus on compromised or low-quality bone, mainly found in the older population.Nearly nine...
The fracture repair market stands to remain one of the stronger orthopaedic segments over the next five years based upon its reach across all demographics. A closer look at notable technologies recently launched or still in development, though, indicates a focus on compromised or low-quality bone, mainly found in the older population.
Nearly nine million osteoporosis-related fractures—one every three seconds—occur worldwide annually, according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). Of these fractures, 1.7 million occurred at the forearm, 1.6 million at the hip and 1.4 million were clinical vertebral fractures in 2000, the latest data available from IOF.
To be successful, innovative products must meet the needs of the aging population and recognize industry’s clinical and economic pressures, such as the demand for less invasive procedures, quicker recovery time and fewer complications. Here are a few emerging companies—and their technologies—seeking to realize that definition of success.
Audax Medical
Arxis is a biomaterial under development for use in multiple applications for the regeneration of diseased bone, cartilage and other soft tissues.
- May be employed as a minimally invasive injectable therapy or as a preformed implant
- Provides mechanical support to an injury site while stimulating tissue regeneration
- “Twin-base linker” molecules, made of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen and packed with antibiotics and bone growth factors, aggregate as a liquid at room temperature and solidify at body temperature, easily integrating with bone.
Element Orthopedics
The Serpentine Composite Grafting System may be used to treat vertebral body compression fractures and subchondral bone insufficiency. Element Orthopedics expects to pursue U.S. clearance and CE Mark approval for the technology.
- Physicians concurrently inject bead-chain solids and a fluent settable material into bone, controlling the deposition of fill material, including location, direction, quantity of fill material and flow
- Beads and fluent materials are injected without using pressure through a gun that has three modes – forward, reverse and cut
GenOssis
The early-stage device company developed OptOssol Hand Compression Screws and Rods. “Optimized Osteogenesis Solutions” (OptOssol) includes a scalable portfolio for the hand, wrist, humerus and other applications.
- Designed to enable higher compression of small fragments to support better bone healing
- Used to treat scaphoid bone, which is prone to nonunions
IlluminOss Medical
The Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System is CE Mark approved for fracture alignment reduction in light- to low-load-bearing bones.
- Utilizes a light-curable polymer contained within an expandable PET balloon catheter to achieve stabilization
- Procedure performed through small percutaneous surgical approach • Cured implant conforms to the geometry of a patient’s intramedullary canal
Woven Orthopedic Technologies
The biotextile startup intends to seek U.S. and Europe regulatory approval in 2015 for its system that addresses screw failure by increasing screw and bone fixation.
- Implant is placed into bone prior to screw insertion
- Manufactured to work in conjunction with all screw types
- Uses materials found in other popular implants
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Carolyn LaWell is ORTHOWORLD's Chief Content Officer. She joined ORTHOWORLD in 2012 to oversee its editorial and industry education. She previously served in editor roles at B2B magazines and newspapers.
