Mitek Sports Medicine, a leader in orthopaedics sports medicine and a part of the DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson, has introduced Healix Advance Knotless Anchor at the 2013 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in Chicago. This new suture anchor is designed to provide optimal knotless fixation for rotator cuff repair.

The Healix Advance Knotless Anchor features dual-thread technology to maximize fixation and pull-out strength in both cancellous and cortical bone, and a multi-thread design that enables fast insertion into bone. Additionally, the device eliminates the need for arthroscopic knot tying.

"The Healix Advance Knotless Anchor delivers a reliable and reproducible rotator cuff repair solution," said Thomas Knapp, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon with Santa Monica Orthopaedic Group. "The type of repair performed depends on several factors including the size of the tear, individual patient anatomy, bone and tendon quality, and surgeon preferences and repair strategies. In my experience, Healix Advance Knotless Anchors are versatile enough to address the wide range of variables a surgeon may encounter and provide a consistent and reliable repair."

The Healix Advance Knotless Anchors are offered in three sizes, 4.75mm, 5.5mm and 6.5mm and are made of either Biocryl Rapide, a biocomposite material that allows absorption and boney ingrowth at the implant site, or radiolucent polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a biocompatible thermoplastic material. The anchors hold up to six strands of the company's Orthocord High Strength Orthopaedic Suture or two strands of high strength tape-suture. The new knotless anchor requires no new instrumentation.

In performance testing, Healix Advance Knotless Anchors displayed higher pullout strength when compared to other knotless anchors tested in the 4.5mm/4.75mm size range, and equivalent performance when compared to knotless anchors tested in the 5.5mm size.

The unique cortical threads and flare of the Healix Advance Knotless Anchor allows for cortical fixation of suture to bone, which enables more fixation points than other knotless anchors. Other features include an inserter ring that keeps sutures aligned along the shaft and prevents suture wrapping inside the subacromial space and cannula.

Healix Advance Knotless Anchors mark the latest addition to the Healix Advance Family of Suture Anchors, a comprehensive system of rotator cuff anchor and instrumentation solutions available since 2012.

"We continue to build on the Healix Advance technology platform to offer surgeons innovations that expand their choices, give them greater flexibility in the surgical environment and help them individualize the procedure to the patient," said Ian Lawson, worldwide president, Mitek Sports Medicine.

Mitek Sports Medicine develops minimally invasive devices and non surgical products used in the treatment of joint injuries related to sports and physical activity, as well as degenerative tissue conditions.