Smith & Nephew introduces BIORAPTOR Knotless Suture Anchor

Smith & Nephew's (NYSE: SNN; LSE: SN) Endoscopy Division today announced the launch of the BIORAPTOR™ Knotless Suture Anchor, a device used to repair a torn labrum in the hip and shoulder.  The anchor is among products featured at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting, which began today in New Orleans.

The fundamental outcome in any surgical repair of a torn labrum is a tight fixation of soft tissue to bone through the use of anchors and suture to provide the best opportunity for healing.  A surgeon's control over the amount of suture tension across the labrum is a critical element in a successful repair.

Leveraging technology from the previously launched FOOTPRINT™ PK Suture Anchor, a two-piece proprietary design enables the surgeon to determine the final suture tension and tissue shift after implantation, which is not possible with competitive anchors.

"Smith & Nephew has been building on an innovative technology base to introduce new anchors for shoulder and hip repair. The BIORAPTOR Knotless Suture Anchor for both shoulder and hip labral repairs offers the surgeon greater control over the suture tension placed across the labral tissue while eliminating knot-tying and a knot stack," commented Dr. Mike Terry, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine.

"Providing surgeons full control over final suture tension was our main focus during the development process," commented Laurie Staveski, senior market manager, Smith & Nephew Endoscopy.  In addition, by eliminating a traditional knot-tying step, surgeons will also save time with less procedural steps and benefit from a surgical solution that minimizes the risk of intra-articular damage due to knot stacks."

SOURCE Smith & Nephew, Inc.