Ascension Orthopedics Introduces the PyroTITAN(TM) Humeral Resurfacing Arthroplasty System

AUSTIN, Texas, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascension Orthopedics, Inc., a leader in orthopedic extremity implants, announces the international market launch of the PyroTITAN™ Humeral Resurfacing Arthroplasty System at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA, March 9-13, 2010. Designed to meet the unique soft tissue biocompatibility requirements of the shoulder joint, the PyroTITAN humeral resurfacing implant is the first commercially-available, human shoulder arthroplasty prosthesis made of PyroCarbon.

Available in twelve sizes, the PyroTITAN Humeral Resurfacing Arthroplasty System is intended to address glenohumeral joint disease due to non-inflammatory, inflammatory and post traumatic arthritis by replacing the damaged humeral head bearing surface and restoring patient anatomy while preserving bone. This system provides size-specific, color-coded, cannulated instrumentation for ease of use and reproducibility.

"We are very excited about the addition of the PyroTITAN Humeral Resurfacing Arthroplasty System. This first commercially-available PyroCarbon implant for shoulder arthroplasty demonstrates the company's leadership role in extremity orthopedics. It also underscores our commitment to pioneer applications of PyroCarbon to address the challenges faced by our surgeons and the specific needs of their patients with joint disease," states Guy Mayer, President and CEO of Ascension Orthopedics.

Ascension's commitment to PyroCarbon technology is based on the material's enhanced wear resistance and biocompatibility against native bone and cartilage; and its clinical survivorship compared to other bearing surfaces such as cobalt chrome, titanium and ceramic. Native joints have been shown to lubricate through the adsorption of surfactant (surface-active phospholipid) to cartilage, which provide boundary layer lubrication. Similarly, the adsorption of surfactant and other biological molecules to the surface of PyroCarbon offers a boundary layer lubrication mechanism for the favorable wear characteristics of PyroCarbon against both itself in total joint replacement and against native cartilage or bone in partial joint replacement.

Ascension is the world leader in PyroCarbon arthroplasty with more than 30,000 PyroCarbon extremity joints implanted. Other currently marketed devices include proximal interphalangeal implants for the distal finger joint, metacarpal interphalangeal implants for the proximal finger joint or the knuckle, carpometacarpal implants for the base of the thumb, radial head implants for the elbow, lunate implant for the wrist, and interpositional implants for the base of the thumb and tarsometatarsal joint of the midfoot. Ascension has several other PyroCarbon-based extremity products at various stages of development that are not yet commercially available. The PyroTITAN Humeral Resurfacing Arthroplasty System is not currently available for sale in the United States.

Ascension Orthopedics was founded in Austin, Texas in 1996. The company's first product was an innovative pyrolytic carbon total joint replacement for the MCP joint of the hand. Its joint replacement product line has since expanded to include implants for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, foot and ankle. Ascension's mission is to transform extremities by developing state-of-the-art orthopedic products for the upper and lower limbs to help patients suffering from pain and dysfunction. Ascension Orthopedics sells products in the United States and in more than 23 countries worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.ascensionortho.com/.

SOURCE Ascension Orthopedics, Inc.