Bioresorbable Rotator Cuff Repair System

A new bioresorbable cannulated screw and spiked washer implant secures torn rotator cuff tissue to bone. Currently, about 85% of the rotator cuff repair market is served by metal implants. The bioresorbable system is designed to address some of the problems that occur with the use of metal fixation implants for rotator cuff repair.

The new copolymer utilized for the system, called BioCuff C, was developed by the implant's manufacturer, Bionx Implants, Inc. (Blue Bell, PA, USA). The copolymer is made from a patented self-reinforcing manufacturing process that the company believes provides superior benefits over traditional products for shoulder surgery. For example, the cannulated screw design allows for arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff, and the rotating washer design provides for secure tissue fixation without damaging the tissue. Also, revision surgery with resorbable implants is believed to be easier and faster, and these implants do not interfere with post-surgical radiographs. Finally, resorbable implants allow for a gradual loss of stiffness to reduce the stress shielding and tissue necrosis associated with metal implants.

"BioCuff provides a greater surface area for tendon-to-bone contact and reduces problems that can be associated with traditional and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, such as suture breakage and knot tying,” said Dr. James Tasto, the surgeon who developed the system.






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