Memphis, Tennessee - Active Implants Corp. (AIC) has an exclusive deal with Joint Replacement Instrumentation Ltd (JRI) to expand distribution of AIC's advanced polymer TriboFit Hip System in the United UK.
JRI, an established specialist in developing and commercialising orthopaedic joint implants and instrumentation, will market its flagship product, the Furlong H-A.C. hip stem, alongside AIC's TriboFit acetabular system.
AIC said in its 21 Oct announcement on the agreement that its TriboFit device is "the only soft bearing articulation product available today." TriboFit employs a low-wear, medical-grade, polycarbonate-urethane Buffer (see picture).
AIC and JRI are launching a post-approval collaborative market study in the UK with leading orthopaedic surgeons. Under this arrangement, AIC will make certain parts of the TriboFit Hip System at JRI's facilities in Sheffield, England.
"We are very pleased and excited to be able to bring to the UK orthopaedic community a truly leading-edge hip replacement option with our well established and successful Furlong hip system," said Brian Jones, managing director of JRI, in the AIC statement. "We believe the TriboFit soft-bearing acetabular Buffer solves some known problems with rigid-bearing material articulation surfaces and it may introduce important new benefits and favourably impact the longevity of a total hip replacement. This is even more important as a growing younger patient population faces the need for orthopaedic surgery."
Stephen Bradshaw, president and ceo of AIC, said the JRI agreement is another strategic step forward for AIC. "We recognise there is a tremendous opportunity to solve known problems and to introduce new benefits to an active orthopaedic patient having greater expectations. As we expand our operations worldwide, we are privileged to join JRI in the UK where modern total hip arthroplasty has its roots and continues to have great influence on the global orthopaedic community."
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