Active Implants enters UK distribution agreement with Joint
Replacement Instrumentation
27 October 2008
Active Implants Corporation (AIC) has signed an exclusive agreement
with Joint Replacement Instrumentation, Ltd (JRI) to expand distribution
of their advanced polymer TriboFit Hip System in the United Kingdom.
JRI, a developer of orthopaedic joint implants and instrumentation,
will market its flagship product, the Furlong H-A.C. hip stem, alongside
AIC’s TriboFit acetabular system, the only soft bearing articulation
product available today. TriboFit employs a low wear, medical grade,
polycarbonate-urethane Buffer. AIC and JRI are launching a post approval
collaborative market study in the UK with leading orthopaedic surgeons.
Under this new arrangement, AIC has agreed to manufacture certain
components of the TriboFit Hip System at the JRI's state-of the-art
facilities in Sheffield, England.
“We are very pleased and excited to be able to bring to the UK
orthopaedic community a truly leading-edge hip replacement option with
our well established and successful Furlong hip system,” said Brian
Jones, Managing Director of JRI. “We believe the TriboFit soft bearing
acetabular Buffer™ solves some known problems with rigid bearing
material articulation surfaces and it may introduce important new
benefits and favourably impact the longevity of a total hip replacement.
This is even more important as a growing younger patient population
faces the need for orthopaedic surgery.”
Stephen Bradshaw, President and CEO of AIC, said the JRI agreement is
another strategic step forward for AIC as it brings to market a new
generation orthopaedic implant solutions. “We recognize there is a
tremendous opportunity to solve known problems and to introduce new
benefits to an active orthopaedic patient having greater expectations.
As we expand our operations worldwide, we are privileged to join JRI in
the UK where modern total hip arthroplasty has its roots and continues
to have great influence on the global orthopaedic community.”
The TriboFit Hip System received a CE Mark and was commercialized in
selected EU markets earlier this year. TriboFit is a new generation
implant system from AIC for the treatment of advanced degenerative
conditions of the hip joint.
AIC is introducing a new, low wear polycarbonate-urethane material
that has a modulus of elasticity similar to human cartilage, is
biocompatible and is as durable as titanium. The AIC material is
hydrophilic, promoting the lubrication of articulating surfaces of the
implant system and maintaining radial clearance between the femoral head
and the acetabular cup similar to the natural hip. Current bearing
materials, like polyethylene, are at least seventy times more rigid than
cartilage and they are hydrophobic, repel fluid.
Professor Antonio Moroni of the Rizzoli Institute, Bologna Italy
stated further, “The TriboFit Hip System offers a less invasive
acetabular component that is bone conserving and allows the use of
anatomical femoral head sizes to optimize joint stability and range of
motion.”
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