-- Total Wrist Implant system for arthritic conditions of the
radial/carpal joint
-- Precision guide secures anatomical placement
-- Adaptable to the individual patient's anatomy and pathology
-- Single tray design assists in more predictable outcomes
NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), a single-source provider of products, technology and education for the small bone and joint sector of the orthopedic market, announced today the introduction of their Precise Guidance Technology(tm) (PGT) Instrumentation at the 61st annual meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) in Washington, DC.
PGT is a proprietary instrument system to facilitate the correct anatomical placement of the RE-MOTION(tm) Total Wrist Implant (Total Wrist). The critical feature of the instrument system is the PGT Guide, which secures to the radius and directs the carpal resection, radial resurfacing, and carpal preparation. The PGT Guide can adapt to individual patient anatomy and pathology.
Precise Guidance Technology allows surgeons to perform total wrist arthroplasty with consistent and predictable outcomes. In one tray, the PGT instrumentation provides a complete solution for total wrist arthroplasty. The set combines left- and right-hand components and all items necessary to perform the procedure.
The Total Wrist is indicated for arthritic conditions of the radial/carpal joint. The implant offers a surface replacement design that requires minimal bone resection and preserves soft-tissue and long-term surgical options. The deep articular radial cup makes the implant immediately stable and resistant to subluxation. The cobalt chrome radial and carpal components are plasma sprayed with commercially pure titanium to promote bony in-growth.
Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Chairman and CEO of SBi, said, "The new PGT instrumentation system is a direct response to surgeon demand for an enhanced total wrist arthroplasty system that provides restoration of full wrist strength and motion. We are proud to give new meaning to the word 'total' in wrist replacement systems, and patients have yet another reason to feel secure that the procedure to restore the motion and function of their wrist will run that much more smoothly -- as well as providing relief from pain."
William P. Cooney, III, MD of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, and co-designer of the Total Wrist implant, noted, "Highly engineered instrumentation has long been used in hip and knee procedures. Precise Guidance Technology will standardize total wrist arthroplasty in making it straightforward for all surgeons."
Amit Gupta, MD, of the University of Louisville who co-designed the system with Dr. Cooney added, "Surface replacement of the wrist with minimal bone resection will expand the indications for total wrist arthroplasty."
About Small Bone Innovations, Inc.
Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi) was founded in 2004 by Viscogliosi Bros., LLC, (VB), the New York-based merchant banking firm that specializes in the musculoskeletal /orthopedic sector. VB created SBi as the first company to focus purely on small bone and joint science. By integrating established companies and professionals in the field, SBi today offers a broad, clinically proven portfolio of products and technologies to treat trauma and diseases in small bones and joints. Today, SBi has more than 140 employees at facilities in New York, NY, Morrisville, PA, Minneapolis, MN and Bourg-en-Bresse, France.
VB's acquisitions and technology licenses included: Avanta Orthopaedics, Inc. (hand/wrist/elbow arthroplasty and trauma products - USA); Envision, Inc. (implant manufacturing - USA); Actipore(tm) (porous metal technology - Canada); Artelon (r)(biologically active and biodegradable technology - Sweden); Xtremi-T, LLC (resorbable trauma technology - USA); and Fixano, S.A.S. (broad line of small bone and joint implants - France).
SBi completed a Series B financing, raising a record total of $42.2 million, announced in January, 2006. Based on data provided by Venture Source, this was the largest venture capital investment ever recorded in the field of orthopedic devices. SBi was a 2006 recipient of Red Herring magazine's annual "Red Herring 100 North America" award, recognized as one of the nation's leading technology companies and the only orthopedic device company selected among an initial entry of more than one thousand firms. Additionally, SBi's Artelon CMC-I Spacer, developed for patients with thumb base osteoarthritis, was featured on the cover and highlighted within Medical Design Technology magazine's "Year of Innovation" issue as one of the most fascinating technologies influencing the medical device industry.
For more information on SBi, please visit: www.totalsmallbone.com
About Viscogliosi Bros., LLC
Established by Marc R. Viscogliosi, John J. Viscogliosi and Anthony G. Viscogliosi in New York City in 1999, Viscogliosi Bros., LLC (VB) was the first venture capital/private equity and merchant banking firm dedicated to the musculoskeletal/orthopedics sector of the health care industry.
Today, VB is a leading independent firm with a mission to create, build and finance companies founded on innovations developed by surgeons and uniquely focused on "life changing" musculoskeletal/orthopedic technologies. VB has worldwide surgeon, industry and trade relationships and significant financial expertise in the musculoskeletal/orthopedic sector.
As principals of VB, the Viscogliosi brothers have a combined total of nearly half a century of experience analyzing and investing in the musculoskeletal/orthopedics sector, directing literally billions of dollars through the orthopedics industry. They have pioneered innovative financial, strategic and management initiatives for nearly 150 companies in the sector, from start-up, seed and development stage all the way to exit, while helping thousands of people lead better lives through the orthopedic and spinal products marketed and sold by the companies they have assisted in developing and financing.
For more information about VB, please visit: www.vbllc.com
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties impacting the Company's business including increased competition; the ability of the Company to expand its operations and to attract and retain qualified professionals; technological obsolescence; general economic conditions; and other risks.