3D Printed Implants and Planning | FAN Quick Hits | Webinars
FAN Quick Hits
5 Medical Device Sites to follow
Some people say Foot and Ankle News is the only resource they need when it comes to medical device news, most however look elsewhere!
Here are five sites that cover the gamut of medical device on a daily basis. Foot and Ankle news is few and far between on these sites, but when big extremity news happens these guys are on it.
Orthopedic Design and Technology
Acquisition News
Stryker announces $2.3b offering to finance Wright Medical purchase, the press release can be found here as we are nowhere near qualified to try and break down the financials any further than the headline. With the deal looking to close in the next quarter, it will be interesting to see where the STAR ankle replacement will end up ?
MTP Fusion System Releases
Incore MTP
Nextremity Solutions (Zimmer Biomet) received FDA 510(k) clearance to market its InCore® Metatarsophalangeal Joint (MPJ) System , a three-part construct intended for internal fixation for First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis. “The InCore MPJ instrumentation provides built-in compression and positional stability to the fixation site prior to implant placement. Coupled with solid intraosseous implant fixation aimed to minimize hardware prominence.”
CrossRoads MTP SCP
Crossroads announced the launch of their NEW MTP Staple Compression Plate(SCP) System. The updated system provides additional implant options to handle revision cases, new instrumentation, and “enhanced screws.” Here is a video animation of the system.
Smart Socks
Siren Socks lands a cool $11.5 Million i nvestment for their app based, temperature monitoring socks. These prescription socks provide the patient and physician real time information that can help them identify signs of inflammation or injury. Interesting product for the growing and very lucrative diabetic market.
1000 Total Ankles
This week, Wright Medical posted a congratulations to Steven Haddad, MD for his 1000th total ankle replacement on their LinkedIn. Nice work!
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3D Printed Implants - Company Review
Total talus replacement has gained traction over the last few years and whether it is a viable alternative to a very serious problem is still to be debated. In the mean time, we quickly wanted to review the companies out there creating patient specific 3D printed technology expanding the armamentarium of foot and ankle surgeons across the world.
The advent of 3D printed implants in foot and ankle began in 2008 when 4 Web launched it’s proprietary truss implant platform. A few years later, 4 Web expanded their custom offering beyond cages and created 3D printed talar replacements to deal with AVN. This is done by taking a CT of the patient’s healthy ankle; then using computer engineering, the image is reversed and becomes a blueprint for creating the new talus. In addition to custom cages, they also offer an off the shelf portfolio of evans and cotton wedges along with a variety of spine cages.
Additive Orthopedics , based in New Jersey, is looking to take over as the dedicated Foot and Ankle customs provider. Their Instagram Page showcases a variety of cases from failed 1 st MTP arthroplasty implants to total talar replacements compatible with tibial replacement components from a variety of companies. They offer a variation of the TTC bone block cage deemed the “death star” spherical cage that can be used in combination with a nail or fusion plate to help provide stability and bone graft retention in an effort to span large deficits in fusion cases.
A new player is emerging in Restor3D , a spinoff from the Medshape group. Their website is under construction, so not much is info is currently available other than a few recent webinars displaying that they have the capabilities to create complex customs for similar disaster cases presented by the other companies.
A downside of customs is that they can be expensive and approvals for use at some institutions can be difficult. CPT codes are available and these implants are reimbursable. In some cases, patients pay out of pocket for the implants or sign documentation that they will pay for the implant if they cancel their case prior to surgery. Regardless of cost, all 3 of these companies are providing technology platforms that are providing options to surgeons to treat patients that may have otherwise ended up with a BKA.
When will the major players begin their own customs programs? Regulatory concerns have to be the barrier to entry at this point. At some point the rules will change, and patient specific implants for TAR and other unique cases will be the norm similar to what Conformis is doing with knees and hips currently. Would it surprise you to see a 3D printer in the core of your OR that creates On-Demand custom implants in 5 years?
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Upcoming Corporate Webinars
AOFAS is offering a unique "Ask the Expert" webinar featuring Lew Schon, MD next Tuesday night. This Thursday is also packed with 4 events all at the same time...what are you going to watch?
Webinars listed by date/time.
ON DEMAND WEBINARS
NOVA STEP - Archived Webinars HERE
MISONEX - SonicOne and TheraSkin - The 1-2 Punch for Wound Healing
Ultrasonic Debridement and Human Skin Allograft
Send us your links if you have these webinars on your websites and we will post them here.
GRECMIP - Why Foot MIS? (Collaboration with AOFAS)
Wednesday - May 27th 4pm EST
Faculty: William C. McGarvey, MD; Miki Dalmau-Pastor, PhD; David Redfern, MD; Joel Vernois, MD
REGISTER HERE
Wright Medical - TAR: Interpreting the PROPHECY™ Report
Thursday – May 28th @ 8pm ET
Speakers:
Hodges Davis, MD
Dean Nachtrab - Wright Medical Sr. Product Development Engineer
Step by step overview on how to read and interpret a
PROPHECY™ Plan including:
- Engineer’s perspective on the structure and content of a PROPHECY™ Plan
- Clinician’s perspective on the clinical value of preoperative planning with illustrative case examples
REGISTER HERE
ASPS - Sinus Tarsi Approach for Calcaneal Fracture Reconstruction
Thursday - May 28th @ 8pm EST
Speakers: Andrew T. Pankratz, DPM
Educational highlights will include:
• Reviewing advantages and disadvantages
• Discussing surgical techniques and implants
• Overview of minimizing complications and improving functional outcomes
• Case reviews
REGISTER HERE
Medline UNITE - Ankle Fracture Disasters: Distractions and Distractors
Thursday - May 28th @ 8pm ET
Presented by J. Kent Ellington, MD and R. James Toussaint, MD
REGISTER HERE
4 Web Medical - Patient Specific Implant Design Services: Rationale & Case Review
Thursday – May 28th @ 8pm ET
Speakers – Dr. Brain C.W. Law MD and Mark Scioli, MD
REGISTER HERE
AAOS - COVID 19: The Orthopedic Recovery
Friday - May 29th @ 10am ET
AAOS teamed up with Digital Orthopaedics Conference San Francisco (DOCSF) to host another virtual event on the Orthopaedic Recovery from Covid 19 . They will discuss its impact, latest science, resuming practice safely, and preparing for the future.
REGISTER HERE
AOFAS - Ask the Expert
Tuesday - June 2nd @ 6pm ET
Speaker: Lew Schon, MD
AOFAS members, bring your toughest foot and ankle cases and questions to “Ask the Expert” with Lew C. Schon, MD.
REGISTER HERE
Medartis - Midfoot Arthritis and Arthrodesis
Tuesday – June 2nd @ 5am ET
Speaker –Dr. Will Edwards - Melbourne, Australia
REGISTER HERE
Additive Orthopedics - Complex Foot and Ankle Reconstructions
Wednesday - June 3rd @ 8pm ET
Speakers - Dr. Salene Parekh, MD and Thomas SanGiovanni, MD
Patient Specific 3D Printed solutions for complex foot and ankle pathologies.
REGISTER HERE
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If you have an upcoming webinar or event you would like to promote, please contact us a t footandanklenews@gmail.com
Or if you have an article you would like to share, please email it to us at footandanklenews@gmail.com
