While it is great that over a million and a half Americans have regained their mobility through knee replacement (TKR) surgery, the future financial implications of those surgeries may be worrisome. Reason? Those new knees are in adults younger than 70 meaning the recipients are “likely to live long enough to be at risk for revision,” said Elena Losina, Ph.D., of Boston University, in the presentation of her study at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting.

As reported February 13 by John Gever of MedPage Today, Losina developed her TKR incidence data from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study and the Osteoarthritis Initiative and extrapolated it to the entire population on the basis of osteoarthritis occurrences established in the National Health and Nutrition examination survey. She fed these numbers into a system that uses simulations to estimate TKR prevalence by age and gender, the progression of symptomatic osteoarthritis, and the likelihood of revision.

Among her finding was that 2% of women and more than 1% of men in their 50s already have received one or more artificial knees. When she investigated the ages from 60 to 69, she found that 3% of men and 4% of women have had knee replacement surgery.

When Losina and her colleagues included estimates of the progression of osteoarthritis and demographic trends they found that the lifetime risk of knee replacement is about 10% for women and 7% for men. Adding to the estimated cost is the expectation that about 1% of men and 2% of women will have had multiple procedures on the same joint by the time they die.

Gever quotes Losina as noting that the estimates suggest that knee replacement “is considerably more prevalent than rheumatoid arthritis and nearly as prevalent as congestive heart failure.” Because knee replacements are being performed more commonly in the middle-aged, there is an “urgent need for studying longer-term outcomes in younger persons undergoing TKR,” she said.

Preoperative skin patch testing for metal allergy influenced treatment planning in two-thirds of a small cohort of patients scheduled to receive metal-containing prosthetic devices, a retrospective chart review showed.

All 21 patients with positive tests received allergen-free prostheses and had no complications associated with hypersensitivity.

Post-implantation patch testing led to prosthesis removal in 10 additional patients, and six had resolution of hypersensitivity-associated symptoms.

“The findings of this study support a role for patch testing in patients with a clinical history of metal hypersensitivity before prosthetic device implantation,” Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska, MD, PhD, of the Cleveland Clinic, and co-authors wrote in an article published online in Archives of Dermatology.

“The decision of whether to remove an implanted device after positive patch test results should be made on a case-by-case basis, as decided by the surgeon and patient,” they said.

The author of an accompanying editorial cautioned that “the patch test is a cutaneous test that does not recreate the environment in which the metal resides.”

“Therefore, the testing might not recreate or elicit the same response as that of a metal within a joint space, for example,” wrote Christen M. Mowad, MD, of Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa.

More than one million Americans receive lower-extremity joint prostheses each year, and the number will likely continue to increase with the population’s age. Most of these prostheses consist of a mix of metal alloys.

The issue of preimplantation patch testing presents a conundrum for physicians. The prevalence of contact allergy to metal is relatively high, but hypersensitivity-associated complications occur in about 0.1% of patients who receive metal prostheses, the authors wrote.

Patch tests offer a means to identify patients at potentially increased risk of a hypersensitivity reaction to a metal implant, but the extent to which the results might influence surgeons’ decision making has remained unclear.

Mesinkovska and colleagues searched medical records for patients who had skin patch tests for contact allergy associated with orthopedic implants from 2003 to 2010. They identified 72 patients, 31 of whom had preoperative tests and 41 who had postoperative tests.

The authors reported that 21 patients tested preoperatively had positive results, most often reflecting allergy to nickel (52%), palladium (32%), gold (23%), and cobalt (19%). Several patients had allergy to more than one metal.

In all 21 cases, the surgeon altered the original treatment plan and used an allergen-free implant. None of the patients had complications that could be attributed to hypersensitivity.

In the postoperative group, pain at the site of implant was the most common reason for skin patch testing (24 of 41). Fifteen patients had positive tests, and eight of the 15 had a history of metal hypersensitivity (versus five of the 26 patients who had negative tests, P=0.03).

The metals most often associated with positive skin patch tests were nickel, cobalt, palladium, and chromium. No patient exhibited sensitivity to gold.

Ten of the 15 patients with positive postoperative tests had reactions to a metal in their implant. Seven of the 10 reported a history of hypersensitivity, and all seven reacted to nickel.

Six of the 10 patients underwent implant revision, and all had symptom alleviation. The remaining four patients continued to have symptoms related to the implant.

The authors acknowledged the study limitations, such as its retrospective nature, relatively small sample size, and the lack of a comparative group in which the surgeons disregarded the patch test results.

“The study confirms the need for surgeons and dermatologists to work together and establish guidelines with a goal to identify patients who would benefit from revisions of previously implanted metal,” the authors wrote.

Mowad agreed, pointing out that “the dermatologist who patch tests must set realistic expectations for the patient and referring physician alike.”

The authors argued that “patch testing remains a standard for evaluating patients with suspected metal allergy. However, it may not always result in a diagnosis. We acknowledge the lack of agreement on which specific allergens, especially which metal salts, should be used for patch testing when devising the prosthesis trays.”

Arthrex unveils new surgery video system at San Francisco trade show

Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, orthopedic surgeons will allow patients to see their knee replacement or shoulder repair surgery after the fact.

Family members could potentially watch live streaming video of the minimally invasive surgery from an iPad in a waiting room.

“They could literally watch the surgery,” said Dr. James Guerra, a Naples orthopedic surgeon who is medical director of Arthrex Inc., a medical device manufacturing company headquartered in Naples. “It’s really dynamic technology.”

At the annual conference of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons this week in San Francisco, Arthrex unveiled a compact imaging system to make live-video streaming possible.

The conference is the largest orthopedictrade showand education program in the industry, attended by 14,000 orthopedic surgeons from around the world.

Bruce Kennedy, chief technology officer at Arthrex California Technology in Santa Barbara, Calif., said Arthrex began working on the state-of-the art video system a year ago. The system is called Synergy HD3.

“It’s basically the fusion of a lot of technologies in one and it allows simple, remote access and sharing of content,” Kennedy said.

Surgeons want to share their work with their colleagues, and they want to educate patients about their procedures, he said.

Up to now, several pieces of equipment were needed to capture the endoscopic imagery on video and make it useful, he said. The Synergy system is one compact console, abouty the size of a shoe box.

“If you look at what other companies (do) and how they do it, it requires several pieces of equipment,” Kennedy said. “We’ve got one.”

The system enables surgeons to customize documents to transmit an educational post-operative report to patients.

Reinhold Schmieding, president and chief executive officer of Arthrex, said surgeons will have to decide if it is something to share with patients.

“They don’t know it exists so it is something the surgeon will educate them about,” he said.

At the conference, surgeons listened intently as Kennedy explained the mechanics of the endoscopic visualization, the camera lighting, the high definition resolution, and how they can edit images and instantly transmit them to authorized recipients.

Marc Tetro, an orthopedic surgeon in Buffalo, N.Y., was impressed.

“It’s a big leap forward from where things are now,” he said, adding that most video recording of endoscopic procedures is done at teaching hospitals.

The cost factor would come into play for group practices such as his own, which has six orthopedic surgeons out of the 25 specialists.

But he’s not interested in letting patients look at videos of their procedures post-operatively. That’s because of the medical malpractice environment in New York.

“Not a chance,” he said. “But it’s big in sports medicine to give to patients. It’s considered sort of the standard in sports medicine.”

Guerra, the Naples orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, said surgeons can turn the system off and on anytime they want. Problems generally do not occur with patients during minimally invasive surgery, but afterward, he added.

“It would be up to the surgeon’s discretion,” he said.

Wireless Implantable MicroCHIPS Deliver Drugs When Needed

MicroCHIPS, an MIT spin-out company out of Waltham, MA, has announced results of a clinical study evaluating its wirelessly controlled implantable drug releasing electronic microchip. The device features controllable reservoir arrays that can contain a drug or a microsensor.  The reservoirs can be opened and closed either based on a preset program, activated wirelessly through a transmitter, or based on readings of the embedded sensors.

The current study focused on delivering teriparatide for post menopausal women suffering from osteoporosis.  Normally these women would have to receive an unpleasant daily injection of the drug, but thanks to the MicroCHIPS device, they received a well controlled regular dose with little perceived discomfort.

Details from the press release:

In the study, seven osteoporotic postmenopausal patients between the ages of 65 and 70 received the microchip-based implant. The primary objective of the clinical trial was to assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the released drug teriparatide from the implanted devices. Safety measures included evaluation of the biological response to the implant and monitoring indicators of toxicity. Secondary objectives were to assess the bioactivity of the drug and to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of releasing the drug from the device.

The device and drug combination were found to be biocompatible with no adverse immune reaction. The resulting PK profiles from the implant were comparable to and had less variation than the PK profiles of multiple, recommended subcutaneous injections of teriparatide. The study also demonstrated that the programmable implant was able to deliver the drug at scheduled intervals. Drug delivery and evaluation in patients occurred over a one month period and provided proof-of-concept measures of drug release and device durability that support implantable device viability for 12 months or more.

The microchip device was implanted and explanted using local anesthetic. Patient surveys found that the microchip device was well-tolerated, and patients indicated that they would repeat the implant procedure. “Each procedure lasted less than 30 minutes,” said treating surgeon Pia Georg Jensen, MD. “The patients were able to walk out of the facility and go home unescorted.”

To assess efficacy and improvement in bone fracture risk, the study measured biological markers of bone formation (P1NP), and bone resorption (CTX). In the study, changes in serum calcium, P1NP, and CTX resulting from drug implant therapy were found to be qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those reported in previous studies during daily subcutaneous injections of teriparatide.

“A microchip that continues to deliver teriparatide with this or similar consistency and efficiency over 12 to 24 months could improve bone mass, density, architecture, and strength,” said study co-author Robert Neer, Founder & Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Density Center and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Press release: MicroCHIPS Announces Clinical Results for First Successful Human Trial Of Implantable, Wireless Microchip Drug Delivery Device

Abstract in Science Translational Medicine: First-in-Human Testing of a Wirelessly Controlled Drug Delivery Microchip

Amedica Corporation, a spinal and reconstructive implant manufacturer focused on its medical grade silicon nitride ceramic material, today announced the completion of its $30 million Senior Secured Subordinated Convertible Notes financing.  This financing, which began in 2011, has now been fully funded with the receipt of the final $5,000,000 investment.

The proceeds from this financing will be used for further development and distribution of its novel ceramic materials in the orthopedic, spine and dental markets. The proceeds will also be used for payments on debt arising from the US spine acquisition, and working capital and other corporate purposes.

“We’re very pleased to complete this growth financing as it allows us to rapidly increase our sales and marketing strategy,” says Eric Olson President and CEO. “With this new capital and the competitive advantage of our silicon nitride technology, we’ll continue to expand into new markets, grow our existing businesses and fully leverage our partnership with our worldwide network of independent distributors. Ultimately, this combination provides a win-win for all Amedica stakeholders including our customers, employees, partners, and shareholders.  I’m pleased to have our new investors onboard for this next stage of growth.”

To date, Amedica has raised approximately $140 million to support and grow the company’s technology assets and value.

For more information about Amedica Corporation, visit www.amedica.com

About Amedica Corporation
Amedica is an innovative spine and orthopaedic implant and device manufacturing and distribution company that provides advanced surgical applications including silicon nitride ceramic technologies. The company’s platform technologies represent a new standard for implants and biologics based on superior performance, safety and efficacy. Amedica is a privately held, private equity backed ceramic manufacturing and implant distribution company founded in 1996 by internationally recognized Orthopaedic surgeons and ceramicists. The company is ISO 13485 certified, its spine products are FDA cleared, CE marked, and are sold in ten countries. Amedica Corporation is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
CONTACT: Investors, Reyn Gallacher, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance, +1-801-839-3500, gallacher@amedica.com or media, Kim Tharaldsen, Senior Product Manager, +1-801-839-3534, ktharaldsen@amedica.com, both of Amedica Corporation
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Several sports medicine physicians discuss how they differentiate themselves and their practices from other orthopedic groups.

A new report reveals that Johnson & Johnson continued overseas sales of its metal-on-metal ASR hip implants after the FDA rejected them for the U.S. market.

Johnson & Johnson’s metal-on-metal hip implants stayed on the market in Europe and other countries after they were rejected for the U.S. market, according to a report from the New York Times.

The implants were sold to patients overseas for a year after they were prohibited for U.S. patients, until they were recalled in August 2010 amid concerns about high failure rates.

The devices were cleared by European regulators, whose standards are generally less stringent than those set by the FDA, but J&J was not required to disclose the FDA’s rejection letter to doctors, patients or regulators outside the U.S.

While perfectly within legal bounds, J&J’s decision not to reveal the FDA’s concerns may pose a problem for the company’s reputation and for ongoing lawsuits, FDA law specialist William Vodra told the Times.

J&J subsidiary DePuy Orthopedics began selling the articular surface replacement implants overseas in 2003. The company submitted results of clinical tests for the ASR device in 2007, and the FDA rejected the application in August 2009.

The FDA’s rejection letter is a confidential notice and hasn’t yet been made public.

DePuy announced plans to phase out its ASR implants amid declining sales in November 2009. Four months later, in March 2010, the company issued an alert.

DePuy also issued an alert about a related device, the ASR cup, which had gotten an FDA green light in 2005 as part of a standard hip implant. Both devices relied on an all-metal socket cup that some experts have said was poorly designed.

In August 2010, DePuy recalled both the ASR resurfacing implant and the related ASR cup due to a high rate of revision surgeries required to correct or remove defective implants.

The pair of devices were used on about 93,000 patients worldwide, according to the newspaper.

Lawsuits had already begun piling up, gaining momentum after the recall announcement andconsolidating into a multi-district case under an Ohio federal court judge by Dec. 2010.

That could add up to a big nut for J&J to swallow, based on the experience of Sulzer Medica AG in 2001. That Swiss medical device maker’s recall of a hip implant, placed in about 31,000 patients, settled in 2002 for $1 billion (about 2,760 patients had revision surgeries attributed to that recall, according to Reuters). The DePuy ASR recall is three times the size of the Sulzer pullback.

Johnson & Johnson did not return requests for comment.

Larry D. Cordell, MD (Midwest Spine Care, Overland Park, Kan.). Dr. Cordell is on the Board of Councilors for the Kansas Orthopaedic Society. He is a past president of the society and previously served in the United States Army. He has a professional interest in treating patients with deformity, arthritis and tumors in the spine and neck. He practices at Midwest Spine Center and is a member of North American Spine Society and Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Cordell earned his medical degree at the University of Kansas Medical School in Kansas City and completed his in pediatric orthopedics residency at the Alfred I. DuPont Institute in Wilmington, Del. His additional training includes a residency in orthopedics at Naval Regional Medical Center in Oakland, Calif.

Alan Dacre, MD (OrthoMontana, Billings). Dr. Dacre is on the Board of Directors for the Montana Orthopedic Society. He practices with OrthoMontana and has a professional interest in adult and pediatric spine care. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Dacre is a member of North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. During his career, he has published several articles in peer-review journals based on his research in spine surgery. Dr. Dacre earned his medical degree at Loma Linda (Calif.) University and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore.

Stephen G.J. Eckrich, MD (Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center, Rapid City, S.D.). Dr. Eckrich is on the Board of Councilors for the South Dakota Orthopaedic Society. He practices with Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center and focuses on patients with pediatric spinal disorders and scoliosis. He has been elected as the South Dakota State Representatives for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and has served as SDOS president. Dr. Eckrich earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. He has additional training as a flight surgeon with the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, Fla., and in pediatric spine and hip deformity at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Daniel E. Gelb, MD (University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore). Dr. Gelb is a past president of the Maryland Orthopaedic Association, where he still serves on the board of directors. He is the co-director of the University of Maryland Spine Program and an associate professor of orthopedics. During his career, Dr. Gelb received the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Grant for Research in Autocrine Regulation of Chondrocyte Maturation. He has a professional interest in treating patients with spinal deformity, spinal tumors and spinal trauma. Dr. Gelb earned his medical degree at New York University School of Medicine in New York City and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Rochester (N.Y.). His additional training includes an orthopedic spine fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis and an Yves Cotrel Fellowship to study spine surgery in Paris.

Kade T. Huntsman, MD (Salt Lake Orthopaedic Clinic, Salt Lake City). Dr. Huntsman is the president of the Utah State Orthopaedic Society. He has a professional interest in scoliosis care, degenerative conditions and spinal tumors. He is a member of several professional societies, including the Cervical Spine Research Society, North American Spine Society and Scoliosis Research Society. He earned his medical degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. His additional training includes a fellowship at Rocky Mountain Spine Clinic in Denver.

Louis Jenis, MD (The Boston Spine Group). Dr. Jenis is an AAOS Councilor and officer for the Massachusetts Orthopaedic Association. He practices with The Boston Spine Group and is a professor of orthopedic surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Jenis is involved in basic science research projects investigating bone morphogenic proteins, clinical studies on cervical and lumbar spinal fusion and further investigation of prosthetic disc replacement and minimally invasive surgery. He was accepted into the Leadership Fellows Program of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a member of the North American Spine Society and Cervical Spine Research Society. Dr. Jenis earned his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine and completed a fellowship in orthopedic surgery research at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Boston. His additional training includes a spinal reconstruction fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Madison and the North American Spine Society Clinical Traveling Fellowship.

James T. Lehner, MD (Orthopaedic Center for Spinal and Pediatric Care, Centerville, Ohio). Dr. Lehner is membership co-chairman of the Ohio Orthopaedic Society. He practices with Orthopaedic Center for Spinal and Pediatric Care and has a professional interest in treating spinal trauma and fractures. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. During his career, Dr. Lehner has spent time volunteering with Orthopaedic Overseas in Bangladesh, Dominican Republic and Haiti. He earned his medical degree at Ohio State University in Columbus and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. His additional training includes a fellowship in scoliosis at Kosair Crippled Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Ky.

Geoffrey M. McCullen, MD (Neurosurgical and Spine Surgery, Lincoln, Neb.). Dr. McCullen is the secretary and treasurer of the Nebraska Orthopedic Society. He practices at Neurological and Spine Surgery and has a professional interest in adult and pediatric spine care. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. McCullen is the author of several medical textbook chapters and studies published in spine journals. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and previously served as a clinical instructor of orthopedic surgery at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. McCullen earned his medical degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Dartmouth Medical School in Lebanon, N.H. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse, N.Y.

Amir A. Mehbod, MD (Twin Cities Spine Center, Minneapolis). Dr. Mehbod is a director at large of the Minnesota Orthopaedic Society. He practices with Twin Cities Spine Center and has a professional interest in scoliosis, disc replacement and minimally invasive surgical technique. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Mehbod is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Scoliosis Research Society. He is also on the board of directors for the Foundation for Advancement of Spinal Knowledge. Dr. Mehbod earned his medical degree at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. His additional training includes spinal fellowships at Twin Cities Spine Center and the University of Bordeaux in France.

Steven C. Poletti, MD (Southeastern Spine Institute, Charleston, S.C.). Dr. Poletti is the immediate past-president of the South Carolina Orthopaedic Association, and member of the executive committee directors. He practices with Southeastern Spine Institute and is a member of several professional societies, including North American Spine Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Poletti also holds a faculty appointment at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He earned his medical degree at the University of California in Irvine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. His additional training includes a fellowship with Dallas Spine Group.

Tom Reinsel, MD (Missouri Orthopaedic Institute, Columbia). Dr. Reinsel is an officer with the Missouri State Orthopaedic Association. He practices with Missouri Orthopaedic Institute and has a professional interest in minimally invasive spine surgery, scoliosis correction, spinal cord injuries and lumbar disc disease. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Reinsel is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society. He serves as an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Dr. Reinsel earned his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis and completed his residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago and University of Vermont in Burlington.

Read full list @ Beckers

Memphis Bioworks Foundation and Innova have launched ZeroTo510, an accelerator program to help entrepreneurs bring medical devices and companies to market.

Applications are due April 5, and through a competitive process, six startups will be selected to participate in a 12-week, mentor-driven program that will include instruction and hands-on activities to guide entrepreneurs through the process.

In addition, co-investors Innova and MB Venture Partners – a venture capital firm that invests in medical-device and biotech companies – will give each chosen company $50,000 in seed capital to jumpstart its finances.

ZeroTo510 aims to help medical device entrepreneurs navigate the startup process, refine their business models and achieve the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s premarket notification filing.

“ZeroTo510 is the first-ever program of its kind in the United States focused on medical devices,” Allan Daisley, Memphis Bioworks’ director of innovation and sustainability initiatives, said in a statement. “An entrepreneurship program for medical devices is an ideal match for the resources and talents of the Memphis area. Typically, it can take years for ideas to pass through regulatory hurdles. An accelerator program that focuses on the 510(k) filing is the right approach to achieving an expedited path to market, but achieving success in that path requires unique skills and knowledge. ZeroTo510 will provide that.”

The program is open to applicants from around the world, but companies selected must be willing to relocate to Memphis for participation.

“Those who are already Memphis-based know the resources and talent available to them here,” Ken Woody, Innova partner and ZeroTo510 board member, said in a statement. “Those who relocate here will soon learn that Memphis is the right environment to launch and grow a medical device company, and we expect them to quickly develop connections here.”

ZeroTo510 is an initiative of the Greater Memphis Accelerator Consortium, a state-funded entity whose mission is to accelerate the growth of Greater Memphis-area entrepreneurial businesses.

Nonprofit Memphis Bioworks Foundation works to accelerate the growth of the bioscience industry in the region, while Innova – a pre-seed, seed and early-stage investor – provides bioscience and technology entrepreneurs with resources to nurture the growth of their companies.

– Proceeds to Support Accelerated Growth and Continued Expansion in Sports Medicine Orthopedic Solutions –

Cayenne Medical, Inc., a private sports medicine device company, today announced the closing of a $10 million equity financing, with new investor Fletcher Spaght Ventures joining existing investors Split Rock Partners, MB Venture Partners and Investor Growth Capital. The proceeds will be used to enhance the company’s sales and distribution and to support expansion of its portfolio of sports medicine orthopedic solutions.

Cayenne Medical currently markets products that address previously unmet clinical needs in knee ligament reconstruction and meniscal repair, including the AperFix® II System, the CrossFix® II System and the iFix® System. This month the company is also launching the Quattro™ Shoulder System for rotator cuff and labral repairs.

“We are pleased to support Cayenne Medical and its innovative, complete procedural solutions for common sport-related orthopedic injuries,” said Peter Kleinhenz of Fletcher Spaght.  “We believe the Company’s high quality products, coupled with its impressive executive team will enable even further success as it introduces additional novel soft tissue repair solutions to market.”

“Cayenne is privileged to have Fletcher Spaght Ventures join our already strong and committed investor syndicate. We look forward to a year of accelerated company growth, with our new innovative solutions for the shoulder to complement our best-in-class knee products,” said David Springer, President and CEO, Cayenne Medical.

About Cayenne Medical, Inc.:

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Cayenne Medical is a privately held medical device company defining new technology for the soft tissue reconstruction segment of the sports medicine market. The company was founded in 2005 and is focused on leading the transformation of traditional soft tissue repair procedures, by applying advanced technology through minimally invasive techniques. For more information, visit www.cayennemedical.com.