Smith & Nephew launches revolutionary open-architecture suture anchor for rotator cuff repair with greater pullout strength than competitors[i]

LONDON, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN;LSE:SN), the global medical technology business, has launched the new HEALICOIL™ PK suture anchor to surgeons around the world. Unlike solid-core anchors traditionally used in rotator cuff repair, the HEALICOIL PK suture anchor eliminates the anchor's inner diameter material. Mechanical testing has shown that this innovative design provides significantly more thread engagement and greater pullout strength than its competitors; even in poor-quality, osteoporotic bone.[i]

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120424/CL92634 )

The HEALICOIL PK suture anchor's unique design also means that less material will be left in the shoulder than with traditional, solid-core anchors.[ii] This is particularly beneficial in procedures where space is limited and multiple anchors are required, such as double-row rotator cuff repair. And since it's made from PEEK-OPTIMA® Polymer from Invibio®, surgeons can trust in the anchor's strength and biocompatibility.

"HEALICOIL PK has everything I'm looking for in the next generation of suture anchors," explains James C. Esch. MD of San Diego, CA. "It uses a minimal amount of material, it's triple-loaded with high-strength sutures and it's easy to insert in both hard and osteoporotic bone."

Finally, the HEALICOIL PK suture anchor provides surgeons with high torsional strength during insertion because the inserter engages 100% of the anchor's length.[iii] This feature minimizes stress and distributes the torque across the entire anchor – essential when placing anchors into hard bone.

"With its distinctive open-architecture design, the HEALICOIL PK suture anchor brings a new level of innovation to rotator cuff repair," says Alain Tranchemontagne, Senior Vice President within Smith & Nephew's Advanced Surgical Devices division. In addition to rotator cuff repair, The HEALICOIL PK suture anchor is also indicated for use in gluteal tendon repair.

Editor's note: The rotator cuff, which is made up of a group of four muscles whose tendons converge to help stabilize and move the shoulder, is subject to a considerable amount of wear and tear with regular daily activities – especially repetitive overhead motions. Current Smith & Nephew estimates are that over 1 million rotator cuff procedures are performed on an annual basis globally to alleviate persistent pain and help patients regain a full range of motion.

About Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine, Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Smith & Nephew has almost 11,000 employees and a presence in more than 90 countries. Annual sales in 2011 were nearly $4.3 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).

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i,ii,iii ITR-4700: HEALICOIL Suture Anchor competitive testing. Data on file, September 2011

SOURCE Smith & Nephew