Smith & Nephew's Endoscopy division has introduced a new anchor Twinfix Ultra PK Suture Anchor to address wide variation in bone density and tissue quality for rotator cuff repair in the shoulder.
The device is currently being featured at Smith & Nephew Endoscopy’s booth at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting in New Orleans.
The new anchor available in sizes ranging from 4.5mm to 6.5mm incorporates a fully-threaded design that makes it easier to insert and provides high fixation strength. The average fixation strength of the Twinfix Ultra PK Suture Anchor is superior when compared against two competitive anchors.
As part of the Twinfix family of suture anchors, the Twinfix Ultra PK Suture Anchor provides surgeons with another material choice for their surgical needs. The anchor is molded from Peek by Invibio, a polymer, whose strength, stiffness and biocompatibility are similar to those of cortical bone.
Twinfix also incorporates Smith & Nephew’s high strength Ultrabraid Suture. Ultrabraid is made of a polyethylene fiber with a braid configuration. It slides through tissue and anchors easily, resists fraying and creates a stronger knot than traditional suture.
Robert McLaughlin of Coastal Orthopedics, Beverly Hospital, Beverly, Mass, said: “The thread count, or pitch, of the anchor is tighter than most anchors which gives it more grip in the bone. It’s also easy to use. I can insert and disengage the inserter easily with one hand a feature you don’t find in most anchors.”
Alain Tranchemontagne, senior vice president of global marketing at Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, said: “As a customer led organization it’s vitally important that we obtain voice-of-customer when it comes to product features and benefits. The fully-threaded design we incorporated into the Twinfix Ultra PK Suture Anchor is a direct result of that feedback.”