Smith & Nephew’s Endoscopy Division has announced the launch of the OSTEORAPTOR Anchor for repair in the hip and shoulder. The device is showcased at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting (AAOS) in Las Vegas. Smith & Nephew Endoscopy’s new OSTEORAPTOR Anchor is the first hip anchor to use Polylactic Acid Hydroxyapatite (PLLA-HA). The key ingredient, Hydroxyapatite (HA), is a mineral found naturally in bone. Studies have shown that the presence of HA increases the anchor’s strength and introduces chemicals that promote the formation of a strong bond between the anchor and the bone surface. The anchor is available in 2.3 and 2.9 mm sizes. The OSTEORAPTOR 2.3 mm Anchor for use in the hip, is the smallest bio-absorbable hip anchor on the market. Typically, surgeons use multiple anchors to repair labral tears. The anchors’ size gives the surgeon the ability to place them more precisely within the tight confines of the joint space. “Labral repair in the hip is challenging to perform arthroscopically because of the lack of anchors and instrumentation designed for the confines of this difficult-to-access joint capsule,” said Dr. Marc Philippon of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo., and one of the world’s top hip surgeons. “The OSTEORAPTOR Anchor is designed so that labral tears can be repaired more precisely and securely, which is a benefit to surgeon and patient alike.” Based on surgeon feedback, the OSTEORAPTOR Anchor system incorporates many features of the previously released BIORAPTOR Anchor line – including the implant rib design and the instrumentation used to deliver the implant. Because they are molded from bioabsorbable PLLA-HA, the anchor is invisible on x-ray and does not distort images captured using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. “We actively engage with our surgeon customers to gain a more thorough understanding of their needs,” said Alain Tranchemontagne, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Nephew Endoscopy. “The OSTEORAPTOR Anchors for hip and shoulder labral repair provide the features that our customers communicate they are looking for in a repair device, and we’re pleased to bring them to market for the benefit of hip and shoulder patients worldwide.”