ATLANTA,
Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — MedShape, Inc., the industry leader in innovative
shape memory orthopedic devices, today announced that it has been granted a
patent from the United States Copyright and Patent Office for its innovative
shape memory polymer based technology. The patent, U.S. Patent No. 8,069,858,
was granted December 6, 2011 for a “Method and Apparatus for Deploying a
Shape Memory Polymer.”
Shape memory polymers are advanced materials that can
“remember” more than one shape and transition easily between those
shapes with minimal force and without loss of mechanical integrity.
Shape-changing polymer medical devices offer advantages over traditional
medical devices. They can be inserted into the surgical site in a temporary,
compact geometry and then be triggered to deploy into a different, permanent
geometry to achieve a specific surgical goal, such as fixation of suture or
soft tissue to bone. Unlike traditional static implants, shape memory devices
can adapt to changes in the site of implantation, such as local bone
resorption, and can respond positively to implant loading to maintain secure
fixation even under challenging conditions.
Devices manufactured from MedShape’s primary shape memory
biopolymer, PEEK Altera®, have already been cleared by the United States Food
and Drug Administration for human use. These devices include the Morphix®
Suture Anchor and the ExoShape® Soft Tissue Fastener. PEEK Altera was developed
by MedShape to allow the design and manufacture of unique shape-changing
medical devices with excellent biocompatibility, long-term biostability and uncompromised
postoperative imaging options.
“This latest issued patent is a key addition to our
intellectual property portfolio and serves to consolidate the leadership
position created by MedShape in the field of shape memory biopolymer medical
devices,” stated Ken Gall, Ph.D., chief technology officer. “MedShape
has successfully introduced new shape memory biopolymer devices that deliver
tangible benefits to surgeons and patients. This patent recognizes the
proprietary nature of our platform technology and is a testament to MedShape’s
world class research and development team.”
About MedShape, Inc.
MedShape, Inc. is a privately held medical device company working to develop
and commercialize a portfolio of surgical solutions that use its patented shape
memory technologies to address the increasing demand for improved sports
medicine, joint fusion and musculoskeletal trauma products. For more
information visit www.medshape.com.
Posted by Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief, MDT
