DePuy Mitek Adds New Suture Anchors to Healix Line

Raynham, Mass.-based DePuy Mitek Inc., manufacturer of orthopedic sports medicine products and soft tissue repair devices, has released the Healix Advance family of suture anchors—a comprehensive new system of rotator cuff anchor and instrumentation solutions.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, each year approximately 200,000 Americans require rotator cuff repair surgery and another 400,000 undergo procedures to fix rotator cuff tendonitis or partial tears.

The Healix Advance Anchor is the next generation suture anchor that includes the dual thread fixation technology of previous versions, but adds a new multi-thread design that reportedly enables faster insertion into hard bone and an awl only bone preparation, in most cases. Dual thread technology is designed to independently engage both cancellous (spongy) and cortical (compact) bone to maximize fixation and pull-out strength.

According to the company, Healix Advance Anchors have a newly designed and fully supported distal tip across the radial plane, and also provide high torsional strength across the entire length of the anchor. The anchors are available either in Biocryl Rapide, a biocomposite material intended to allow absorption and bone formation at the implant site, or radiolucent polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a biocompatible thermoplastic material. The 4.5 mm, 5.5 mm and 6.5 mm anchors are double- or triple-loaded with the company’s Orthochord High Strength Suture.

“These new anchors have the strength and performance of previous Healix Anchors, but come in more sizes and have more options to improve surgical versatility,” said Mark H. Getelman, M.D., co-director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship at Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Van Nuys, Calif. “Anchor insertion is faster and easier and the anchors provide the excellent strength and easy-sliding triple-loaded suture characteristics I demand for single row rotator cuff repairs.”

The first Healix Anchor was introduced in 2008. Since then the company has added Healix Knotless, Healix Transtend, and now, Healix Advance Anchors.

“The Healix family of anchors along with our suture technology, specialized instrumentation, and tissue ablation and fluid management technology offer surgeons a complete procedural solution for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair,” said Ian Lawson, worldwide president of DePuy Mitek. “Our goal is to continue to advance the tools and techniques of soft tissue repair to provide surgeons greater choice and versatility while also helping to improve patient care.”