Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies recently announced that DePuy Synthes Sales, Inc. has entered into an exclusive agreement with Ortho Development Corporation to co-promote in the U.S. the KASM Knee Articulating Spacer Mold. This is a sterile, disposable cement spacer mold for patients who develop an infection after primary knee replacement. This new offering builds upon DePuy Synthes’ commitment to innovative knee solutions focused on helping patients along the care continuum.
Of the five percent of patients who require total knee revision surgery, prosthetic joint infections are among the leading cause, with the majority occurring within the first two years after surgery. Treating this type of infection requires a two-stage process. The primary knee implant is removed and replaced with a temporary antibiotic knee spacer. When the infection has cleared, the patient then undergoes a second surgery to replace the knee, known as a revision procedure.
(Image credit: Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Company)
Knee spacers are typically either static or articulating. Static spacers require patients to keep the infected knee immobilized for up to six months until the infection has cleared. Articulating spacers allow patients to weight bear with the use of crutches or a walker and possibly maintain motion during their recovery. KASM is designed to help preserve range of motion, joint space and soft tissue tension. Additional KASM features include:
- Smooth articulating surface for both femur and tibial sides
- Open mold design that allows surgeons to customize the fill of each component to accommodate for existing bony defects and other patient-specific conditions
- Three sizes to account for a variety of patient anatomies
“KASM provides us with the unique opportunity to help surgeons whose patients have developed an infection to maintain some mobility and freedom they might not otherwise have had throughout the healing process,” says Juan-José Gonzalez, president of DePuy Synthes U.S. “This exclusive agreement with Ortho Development adds to our existing knee portfolio that spans treatment from early intervention to surgical replacement, with the goal of helping people return to living active and fulfilling lives.”
Ortho Development Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets devices for knee and hip joint reconstruction, spine treatment, and trauma. KASM is one of Ortho Development’s products and received FDA clearance in 2014. This product has also been on the market in Japan for several years.
DePuy Synthes will begin to promote KASM in the latter part of 2018.
