DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction recently introduced two new technologies at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting — the ATTUNE Rotating Platform Knee and Anatomic Patella. The technologies are part of the ATTUNE Knee System, which is the company's largest research and development project for better range of motion and stability during daily activities.
There have been more than 31,000 ATTUNE Knee implants worldwide, and with the new technology ATTUNE will be available with rotating platform technology and the anatomic patella.
"We introduced ATTUNE to the market and since that time we've gotten a lot of feedback on how it's delivering on the promise of motion and stability," says Tim Czartoski, Worldwide Director of Knee Marketing at DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction. "We've heard from the surgeons that they're getting better motion compared with the devices they've used in the past and higher patient satisfaction rates."
The company is conducting an invivo research project to collect data from more than 1,200 implants for early performance. So far, patients at the two-year mark are showing good knee scores and doing well. One surgeon even reported that patients have less pain in their knees and better motion and flexion at two and six weeks postoperatively.
"So far the feedback shows it is delivering on what it was designed for: motion, stability and better patient satisfaction," says Mr. Czartoski. "The rotating platform is unique to DePuy and we are excited about bringing it to the market. The anatomic patella knee cap is really central to the knee because the primary function is promoting knee extension. The anatomic patella was created to address pain patients report in the anterior knee by minimizing soft tissue irritation and increasing quadriceps efficiency."
Surgeons have the ability to choose the design and platforms that will provide the best performance for individual patients, and the ATTUNE system allows them to change their mind if necessary.
"Regardless of which design the surgeon chooses, he or she can decide intraoperatively to change the implant," says Hannah McEwen, PhD, Worldwide Director for Knee Product Development at DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction. "You can choose intraoperatively whether the fixed bearing or the rotating knee is what is best for the patient. We are very excited to build on this technology."
The ATTUNE is a tricompartmental knee for primary knee surgeries. Surgeons trained in knee procedures will easily make the transition, says Mr. Czartoski, because the system is very user-friendly to surgeons and staff members. The system includes:
• High contrast markings
• New materials and polymers with instruments
• Intuitive instrumentation
"The workflow and procedure of the knee is similar to other products and the instruments are intuitive to use," says Mr. Czartoski. "We always provide in-services and training to surgeons as we introduce new products and we've found surgeons have been able to adopt the system easily."
The fixed bearing and rotating platform have the same geometry, so the same instruments are used and surgeons can have intraoperative flexibility.
"The Anatomic Patella offers significant technological advance in the way the patella tracks on the femur, taking the patellofemoral side of things to a new level," says Ms. McEwen.
The company plans to continue to develop and build upon its base technology for patient care improvements in the future.
"We continue to look at implant offerings and how we can drive efficiency," says Ms. McEwen. "The intuitive instrument design reduces the number of instruments in the OR and drives efficiency. When we look at future development, we are trying to improve efficiency even further."
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