MedShape Solutions is currently targeting their research and development efforts towards novel shape memory implants that restore motion, eliminate pain and improve the quality of life for patients requiring the following surgical procedures:

Soft Tissue Repair

This application includes the reconstruction or reattachment of torn ligaments or tendons in joints throughout the body, including: the knee; the shoulder; the elbow and foot & ankle. These injuries can result from trauma, participation in sports or from wear and tear associated with the activities of daily living.

By utilizing our proprietary shape memory PEEK Altera™ material, MedShape Solutions can offer the surgeon novel soft tissue fixation devices that provide:

  • Dynamic adaptation to ongoing changes in surrounding bone.
  • Simplified device insertion with high initial pull-out strength and improved cyclic loading.
  • Biocompatibility.
  • Radiolucency for easier imaging.

Fracture Fixation and Joint Fusion

More than 50 million fractures occur worldwide each year, causing significant pain and disability. Many of these fractures will require surgical intervention to provide stabilization and promote healing. Some of the most difficult fractures will fail to heal, or heal too slowly, and will require further surgical intervention.

As individuals age, trauma or degenerative changes to the surfaces of their joints can lead to swelling and pain in the extremities. This pain can be debilitating and compromise performance of daily activities or impair the ability to walk. Where joint replacement is not an option, surgeons will often elect to permanently immobilize or "fuse" the affected joint to provide pain relief and improve quality of life. Implants are used to provide immediate immobilization of the joint and encourage solid bony union across the joint.

Dynamic compression of the bones across a fracture site or fusion site is universally accepted as a basic prerequisite of successful bone healing. Current fracture fixation and fusion device designs rapidly lose compression across the target site after implantation due to changes in the surrounding bone. MedShape Solutions' research and development collaborations have resulted in the design of fracture fixation devices and fusion implants that:

  • Utilize the shape memory and pseudo-elastic properties of titanium nickel alloys to provide continuous reduction and compression across fractures or target joints, actively adjusting for changes in the surrounding bone.
  • Offer improved fracture healing and fusion rates.
  • May be implanted using standard surgical techniques.