Feb 23 2005
Exactech, Inc announced the successful initial implantation of Optecure in a recent spinal fusion surgery. The surgery was performed by Hansen Yuan, M.D., professor of orthopaedic and neurological surgery and director of spine research at the State University of New York. He reported that Optecure worked well as a bone graft extender for spinal fusion, was easy to use and mixed well with autogenous bone.
Optecure is demineralized bone matrix (DBM) in a synthetic bioabsorbable polymer carrier. It was the first FDA-cleared medical device that includes human DBM as a component.
Exactech Chairman and CEO Bill Petty, M.D., said, "The introduction of Optecure is an important step in Exactech's strategy to strengthen its focus on biologic solutions to orthopaedic problems. Both the product and the manufacturing process have been designed and validated by Exactech. Providing materials for use in the spine enables us to improve the lives of a wider variety of patients."
Earlier this month, Exactech introduced OpteMx, another biomaterial designed for spinal and general orthopaedic applications. This engineered composite chemically and structurally mimics cancellous bone, providing a conductive scaffold for bone restoration.
More than 100,000 surgeries a year are performed in the U.S. using demineralized bone matrix products in a market valued at approximately $200 million. The spinal segment of this bone paste market is estimated to be $100 million. The market for all applications of synthetic biomaterials is estimated to be $75 million.
http://www.exac.com/