Tornier Announces Launch of the Aequalis(TM) Ascend(TM) Convertible Shoulder Implant System at the 28th Annual San Diego Shoulder Course
AMSTERDAM, Jun 22, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Tornier N.V. TRNX -0.94% , a leading global medical device company focused on serving extremities specialists who treat orthopaedic conditions of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, ankle and foot, today announced that its Aequalis(TM) Ascend(TM) Convertible Shoulder System is being launched this week at the 28th Annual San Diego Shoulder Course. The Company also announced that the first implant procedure with this innovative shoulder joint replacement system was performed on May 11, 2011 at the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas by Sumant Krishnan, M.D. The Ascend Convertible is the first shoulder joint replacement system offering both a minimally invasive design as well as convertibility to a “reversed” configuration without the trauma and bone loss associated with the surgical removal of an implant component.
Tornier’s Aequalis Ascend Convertible Shoulder System is the newest member of the Aequalis Ascend Shoulder joint replacement product line that was first launched approximately one year ago and features the innovative short stem, bone-sparing design. The new modular and convertible Aequalis Ascend system was developed to address the clinical need for a shoulder joint replacement system that can be converted to a “reversed” configuration without the requirement for the surgical removal of implant components. The reversed arthroplasty design, also pioneered by Tornier over the past 10 years, refers to the reversal of the normal ball and socket orientation of the shoulder joint that may be a requirement for patients with compromised rotator cuff function, either at the time of the patient’s initial joint replacement or later in conjunction with revision joint replacement surgery. In the reversed configuration, the ball of the implant system is moved from the humerus (upper arm bone) to the glenoid (on the shoulder blade) and the socket is moved from the glenoid to the humerus.
Dr. Krishnan commented, “”I am very excited about this next generation of humeral prosthesis. I have used the innovative, bone-sparing Aequalis Ascend humeral stem for the last 2 years with outstanding clinical and radiographic results. The bone-sparing design and fit of the short stem provides for a true anatomic reconstruction of the shoulder. With the convertible Aequalis Ascend stem, surgeons have unlimited intraoperative, postoperative, and revision flexibility when considering either anatomic replacement or reversed prosthesis implantation. With the introduction of the Aequalis Ascend, Tornier has worked to successfully combine more than 20 years of clinical data with minimally invasive techniques and implants to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
About Tornier Tornier is a global medical device company focused on serving extremities specialists who treat orthopaedic conditions of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, ankle and foot. The Company’s broad offering of over 80 product lines includes joint replacement, trauma, sports medicine, and biologic products to treat the extremities, as well as joint replacement products for the hip and knee in certain international markets. Since its founding approximately 70 years ago, Tornier’s “Specialists Serving Specialists” philosophy has fostered a tradition of innovation, intense focus on surgeon education, and commitment to advancement of orthopedic technology stemming from its close collaboration with orthopedic surgeons and thought leaders throughout the world. For more information regarding Tornier, visit www.tornier.com .
