Extremity Medical announces the first KinematX TM Midcarpal Joint Hemiarthroplasty procedure was recently performed at the Spire Wellesley Hospital in Southend, England by Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Greg Packer, FRCS Ed, FRCS Ed Orthopaedics. The KinematX device, invented and patented by Scott Wolfe, M.D., hand and upper extremity surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery, NewYork City, and Joseph J. “Trey” Crisco, Ph.D., Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, R.I., is the first of its kind in that it is a resurfacing of the midcarpal joint in the wrist, the joint that enables highly functional motion ‐‐ the so‐called “dart thrower’s motion.”
Restoration of wrist function is a major unmet need within distal extremity surgery. The release of KinematX by Extremity Medical is a step forward in the advancement of motion preserving technology for this complex region of upper extremity anatomy.
Based upon years of carpal kinematics research by Professors Wolfe and Crisco, the team formulated the design ideas for KinematX Prosthesis that were developed through a collaborative and intellectual property licensing agreement between Extremity Medical, LLC , Hospital for Special Surgery and Rhode Island Hospital.
Dr. Wolfe noted, in commenting on the collaboration, “The short amount of time it took to take our idea from bench to bedside is remarkable, and for a prosthesis is virtually unheard of. It is a testament to how nimble, receptive and creative Extremity Medical is. This prosthesis has the potential to offer a new, motion preserving alternative to patients who currently have limited options, such as those with advanced SLAC wrist, fracture malunion or osteoarthritis, who desire and would benefit greatly from pain relief and restoration of wrist motion.”
Jamy Gannoe, President and Co‐Founder of Extremity Medical commented, “This milestone further establishes our position as a leading innovator against the major challenges faced by distal extremity surgeons. By focusing on genuine unmet needs, and basing product ideas on research from leading institutions such as Hospital for Special Surgery and Brown, we are able to lead the advance in most needed areas like restoring wrist function. Instead of following others down well worn paths, Extremity Medical chooses to take on bigger challenges for the sake of advancement. KinematX is just that.”
The company plans to continue a limited evaluation of the product and plans future commercialization of a Total Modular Kinematic Wrist System.
