ArthroCare Launches DoublePlay™ New Osteoconductive Suture Anchor

Tag : suture material
ArthroCare Launches DoublePlay ™ New Osteoconductive Suture Anchor
AUSTIN, Texas--( BUSINESS WIRE )--ArthroCare ® Corp. (NASDAQ: ARTC) announced today the launch of its newDoublePlay implant, a novel suture anchor device intended for softtissue to bone fixation in surgical procedures such as rotator cuffrepair. It is unique in terms of design and material.
The DoublePlay device is a fully threaded anchor and features an “ eyeless ” design – a new concept in the world of screw-in anchors. The designeliminates the risk of eyelet breakage, the most common modeof failure in standard absorbable anchors.
DoublePlay is manufactured from a proprietary composite material,the first composite to be used in Sports Medicine with clinicallyproven osteoconductivity and replacement by bone. This uniquematerial is used in ArthroCare ’ s Bilok ® interference screw, and it boasts an unrivalled 10 year pedigreein ACL procedures without any reported cases of osteolysis ortibial cysts.
DoublePlay has received FDA clearance for fixation of suture tobone in the shoulder, foot, ankle, knee, hand, wrist, elbow andpelvis. The device is preloaded with Magnum wire.
“ We ’ re very excited about the launch of our new DoublePlay sutureanchor device, ” said Jack Giroux, president of ArthroCare Sports Medicine. “ DoublePlay makes an invaluable addition to our Sports Medicine lineof suture anchors, and we believe its state-of-the-art design andcomposition will make it the anchor of choice for orthopaedicsurgeons worldwide. ”
Giroux added that “ the new DoublePlay anchor will allow us to take advantage of thetrends in the market where we see surgeons moving away fromstandard absorbable anchors in favour of anchors made ofbiocomposite materials that are osteoconductive and are replaced bybone over time. ”
Giroux went on to say that the DoublePlay will be ready forshipping next week and ArthroCare Sports Medicine expects to beginfulfilling surgeons ’ requests for the device within the next month.
ABOUT ARTHROCARE
Founded in 1993, ArthroCare Corporation ( www.arthrocare.com ) is a highly innovative, multi-business medical device companythat develops, manufactures and markets minimally invasive surgicalproducts. With these products, ArthroCare targets a multi-billiondollar market opportunity across several medical specialties,significantly improving existing surgical procedures and enablingnew, minimally invasive procedures. Many of ArthroCare's productsare based on its patented Coblation ® technology, which uses low-temperature radiofrequency energy togently and precisely dissolve rather than burn soft tissue – minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Used in more than fourmillion surgeries worldwide, Coblation-based devices have beendeveloped and marketed for sports medicine; spine/neurologic; ear,nose and throat (ENT); cosmetic; urologic and gynecologicprocedures. ArthroCare also has added a number of noveltechnologies to its portfolio, including Opus Medical sportsmedicine, Parallax spine and Applied Therapeutics ENT products, tocomplement Coblation within key indications.
Bilok ® and DoublePlay ™ are manufactured by and Trademarks of Biocomposites Ltd.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENTS
Except for historical information, this press release includesforward-looking statements. These statements include, but are notlimited to, the Company's stated business outlook for fiscal 2008,continued strength of the Company's fundamental position, thestrength of the Company's technology, the Company's belief thatstrategic moves will enhance achievement of the Company's long termpotential, the potential and expected rate of growth of newbusinesses, continued success of product diversification efforts,and other statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Theserisks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to theuncertainty of success of the Company's non-arthroscopic products,competitive risk, uncertainty of the success of strategic businessalliances, uncertainty over reimbursement, need for governmentalclearances or approvals before selling products, the uncertainty ofprotecting the Company's patent position, and any changes infinancial results from completion of year-end audit activities.These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time totime in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings,including ArthroCare's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,2008 and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.Forward-looking statements are indicated by words or phrases suchas "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "believes," "intends,""expects," and similar words and phrases. Actual results may differmaterially from management expectations.