Small Bone Innovations, Inc. Unveils Its New Lateral rHead Implant

Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), a single-source provider of innovation, products, technology and education for the small bone & joint sector of the orthopedic industry, has announced the latest technology addition to its growing and impressive family of Elbow Management System products, its new Lateral rHead™ implant.

SBi has debuted its Lateral rHead™ at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2007 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.

The Lateral rHead™ is comprised of a uniquely designed mechanical couple between the head and stem components. The couple does not require a set screw and is provided with an easy-to-use assembly tool that can be used in vivo or on the “back table” to quickly assemble the head to the stem component.

Similar to SBi’s rHead and rHead Recon products, the head and stem components are fully modular. The Lateral rHead™ head is highly polished cobalt chrome (CoCr). The stem is cobalt chrome (CoCr) with the stem and collar buttress coated with plasma- sprayed commercially pure titanium (CPTi). The Lateral rHead™ received a 510(k) clearance from the U.S. FDA in December, 2006.

SBi’s Lateral rHead™ provides surgeons with yet another option for treating radial head fractures and disease. The unique design allows for lateral access and placement, which is less invasive in terms of surgical site exposure and soft tissue dissection, minimizing ligamentous release required during the surgical procedure. It also facilitates placement and repair in this restrictive anatomy, requires minimal resection of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and preserves the annular ligament.

The new Lateral rHead™ complements SBi’s rHead™ Recon implant, which facilitates alignment of the radio capitellum and provides for greater anatomic positioning.

SBi’s Lateral rHead™ augments the growing SBi Elbow Management System, a suite of the most comprehensive products and technology systems in the industry designed to treat all conditions of fracture reconstruction and disease management of the elbow.

Commenting on his company’s new elbow implant, Founder, Chairman & CEO Anthony G. Viscogliosi said, “SBi is committed to being the worldwide leader in the design and development of upper and lower limb arthroplasty implants and related medical devices. The Lateral rHEAD is the latest in a solid line of ground-breaking, surgeon-driven, patient-focused implants that will revolutionize the treatment strategy for fractures and diseases of the elbow. SBi will continue to push the envelope, seeking new and innovative ways for patients to get relief from pain as well as restoration of function.”