Artimplant receives approval to market Artelon® TMC Spacer in Australia

The Swedish biomaterials company Artimplant receives approval to market the Artelon® TMC Spacer in Australia. The distribution network of Small Bone Innovations will market the product.

Artelon® TMC Spacer for treatment of thumb base osteoarthritis Artelon® TMC Spacer is an implant for treatment of thumb base osteoarthritis (OA). The Artelon® Spacer is preserving the bone anatomy of the hand and is buffering the bone on bone contact that results from osteoarthritic joint degeneration. Compared to current therapy it has the following benefits. • Significantly better grip strength compared to tendon interposition arthroplasty • Stable joints, no subluxations • Reduced pain • Fast and easy procedure, no general anesthesia required • Tissue preserving approach – minimal tissue resection of the trapezial bone results in intact anatomy Successful study A pilot study with Artelon® Spacer for treatment of OA in the base of the thumb conducted by Artimplant has been published in the March 2005 issue of American Journal of Hand Surgery. The results from the study show that patients with the Artelon® Spacer experienced significantly better grip strength compared to a control group of patients treated with tendon interposition arthroplasty. Artelon® - a unique biomaterial The Artelon® TMC Spacer is made of Artelon®, a unique long-term degradable biomaterial that acts as a temporary scaffold to facilitate formation of new host tissue. Due to its versatility and unique combination of properties - long-term degradation, mechanical properties similar to human tendons and excellent biocompatibility in hard and soft tissue - Artelon® offers new solutions to unmet clinical needs in several therapy areas.