Smith & Nephew Announces Breakthrough VERILAST(TM) Technology
Studies show a stronger and longer lasting knee
MEMPHIS, Tenn. and SAN FRANCISCO, March 4 -- Smith & Nephew, Inc. (NYSE:SNN)(NYSE:LSE:)(NYSE:SN) Orthopaedic Reconstruction business today announced the introduction of its VERILAST(TM) Technology. VERILAST Technology represents a technological leap forward in implant performance for knee replacement surgery. VERILAST Technology is an optimized material combination engineered specifically to improve knee implant performance and durability. This technology combines Smith & Nephew's award winning OXINIUM(TM) material with highly cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) to produce a one-of-a-kind total knee replacement device.
"Smith & Nephew has a longstanding reputation for providing surgeons with innovative technologies designed to maximize patient outcomes," said Joseph DeVivo, president of Smith & Nephew Orthopaedic Reconstruction. "Initial data on implant wear compared to competitive systems has been very encouraging. Due to the significant improvements we are observing in wear rates over competitive material combinations, a knee with VERILAST Technology may be the only implant many patients ever receive. Combined with our award-winning OXINIUM Oxidized Zirconium, the history of innovation in implant endurance continues with the introduction of our VERILAST Technology."
In lab testing, Smith & Nephew researchers demonstrated that the composition of both articulating surfaces is critical to the performance of the entire bearing couple. When XLPE is combined with OXINIUM alloy, significant improvements in wear resistance are both provided and maintained. Smith & Nephew is the only orthopaedic manufacturer that utilizes high performance materials in both bearing surfaces to improve knee implant wear performance.
Smith & Nephew's knee portfolio includes the JOURNEY(TM) BCS, JOURNEY DEUCE(TM) and LEGION(TM) Total Knee System.
About OXINIUM(TM) Oxidized Zirconium
OXINIUM is a proprietary transformed metal alloy with a ceramic bearing surface. OXINIUM alloy is twice as hard and provides ½ the friction of CoCr implants and is extremely durable. This trailblazing technology is the only orthopaedic implant material to receive the ASM International Engineering Materials Award for outstanding achievement of a material used in the design and manufacture of products.
OXINIUM Oxidized Zirconium was developed and patented by many individuals within the Smith & Nephew Orthopaedic Research, Development, and Manufacturing groups. All of Smith & Nephew's major knee and hip implant systems, including the GENESIS(TM) II Total Knee System, the LEGION(TM) Total Knee System, the JOURNEY(TM) BCS Bi-Cruciate Stabilized Knee system, the JOURNEY DEUCE(TM) Bi- Compartmental Knee System, the SYNERGY(TM) Total Hip System and the ANTHOLOGY(TM) Total Hip System, are available with OXINIUM(TM) Oxidized Zirconium technology. The first OXINIUM Oxidized Zirconium component was implanted in 1995 with more than 230,000 hip and knee components implanted with remarkable clinical success.
About us
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma & Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.
Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The company has 8,800 employees and operates in 32 countries around the world. Annual Sales in 2007 were nearly $3.4 billion.
FCMN Contact: victor.rocha@smithnephew.com
Source: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
CONTACT: Media, Victor Rocha, +1-901-399-6771, victor.rocha@smith-nephew.com,
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