Smith & Nephew Introduces Biocomposite for Bone Replacement

British-based orthopedic technology company Smith & Nephew announced the U.S. launch of its Healicoil Regenesorb suture anchor at the Arthroscopy Association of North America Fall Course in Las Vegas, Nev. on Nov. 7. Building on the success of its Healicoil PK design, this new suture anchor is the first device to use the company’s proprietary Regenesorb material—an advanced biocomposite that has reportedly been shown in pre-clinical studies to be absorbed and replaced by bone within 24 months.

“The Healicoil Regenesorb suture anchor is a perfect marriage of implant design and material,” said orthopedic surgeon, Scott Trenhaile, clinical assistant professor of surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford. “Within this one implant, I get the bone ingrowth and mechanical strengths of the original Healicoil, as well as the bioabsorption advantages that come from gradually transferring the stresses to the healing bone as the anchor is steadily absorbed.”

Most biocomposite implants utilize the osteoconductive properties of beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) to provide 18 months of sustained bone formation. While this is effective in creating a “scaffold” for enhancing new bone formation, Regenesorb goes one step further by adding a second osteoconductive component, calcium sulfate. Calcium sulfate has been shown to work in the early stages of bone healing and is associated with increased levels of local growth factors.

All Healicoil suture anchors use an open-architecture design that eliminates the inner diameter material found in traditional, solid-core anchors. Pre-clinical testing has demonstrated that this design allows for new bone to fill the spaces between the threads and within the central channel by 12 weeks after implantation. In addition, the extended, fully-threaded Healicoil Regenesorb anchor design was shown in biomechanical testing to provide more threaded engagement than other biocomposite anchors, delivering greater pullout strength in poor-quality, osteoporotic bone. The company claims that the Healicoil inserter engages nearly 100 percent of the anchor’s length, which minimizes stress and provides predictable insertion into hard bone by distributing torque along the entire length of the anchor.

“When we introduced the Healicoil PK Suture Anchor, its design set a new standard for innovation in our industry,” said Brad Cannon, president, endoscopy, trauma and extremities for Smith & Nephew. “With Healicoil Regenesorb, we combined the benefits of that design with an advanced material to raise the standard even higher.”

Designed primarily for shoulder rotator cuff repair, the Healicoil Regenesorb suture anchor is also indicated for use in the knee, elbow, foot and ankle.