Knees for You Guide to Knee Replacement

JFK Memorial Hospital Announces Availability of CONFORMIS Personalized Partial Knee Resurfacing System for Patients

Updated 2/12/09

Original Link  and   iUni Link

JFK Memorial Hospital Indio, CA announced today the availability of minimally traumatic, patient-specific knee resurfacing implants, for patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee, a condition that affects more than 27 million adults in the U.S. The novel implant is designed and manufactured by ConforMIS, Inc.

On December 15, 2008, Dr. Raj Sinha, an orthopedic surgeon at JFK Memorial Hospital, performed the first local implantation of the iUni. The iUni is the only personalized unicompartmental knee resurfacing implant on the market. The implant is designed as a bone-sparing alternative to a traditional total knee replacement for early intervention patients whose arthritic damage is limited to just one compartment of the knee. The iUni resurfaces only the affected areas, preserving far more bone on both the femur and tibia than traditional total knee replacement surgery. It also preserves all of the patient's ligaments, helping to maintain a more natural feeling knee, and safeguards options for future surgical procedures.

Patients are looking for minimally traumatic alternatives that give them the opportunity to get back to their routines more quickly," said Dr. Sinha." With the technology that the ConforMIS implants offer, I am able to provide an option to my patients that allows for rapid postoperative recovery, shortened rehabilitation, and less pain and discomfort.?

Celia Butch, Dr. Sinha's patient, was at a point in her life where she was finally ready to regain strength in her right knee after falling at work two years ago. The day after her surgery, she was up and walking with her physical therapist and today, is looking forward to getting back to the golf course.

I decided on ConforMIS because of the "patient-specific" technology, said Celia. "I can say that the whole experience has been exceptional. If anyone is in the same situation as I found myself, I would highly recommend the course of treatment that I took."

Massachusetts-based ConforMIS, Inc. has developed a full line of implants that are designed to treat all stages of osteoarthritis. ConforMIS implants are developed utilizing a computer modeling system and proprietary software to extract individual information from CT or MR images. This "image-to-implant" technology provides a 3D image of the knee which is used to guide the design and manufacture of a personalized implant that conforms to the exact shape and size of the individual patient. Because of its precise size and shape, a ConforMIS implant reduces the need for tissue resection and preserves more of a patient's natural anatomy.

"We believe that this announcement continues our tradition of bringing the newest and most advanced orthopedic technologies to the region. The ability to offer personalized knee implants allows our surgeons to choose an option that is tailor made to the unique circumstances of our patients," said Dan Bowers, CEO of JFK Memorial Hospital. "We're looking forward to sharing more positive patient stories like those of Celia"s."

About ConforMIS, Inc.

ConforMIS, Inc. is a privately held company that develops and commercializes medical devices for the treatment of osteoarthritis and joint damages. The Company's novel and scaleable "image-to-implant" process is comprised of two related technology platforms. iFit Technology enables the creation of conforming, patient-specific implants that are precisely sized and shaped to match the 3D topography of the patient's anatomy. iJig  Instrumentation enables the creation of disposable, easy-to-use instrumentation that simplifies the surgical process and improves reproducibility.

Both platforms are supported by proprietary, intellectual property consisting of more than 120 patents and pending patent applications that span imaging software, image processing, implant design, surgical techniques and instrumentation.

To date, ConforMIS has developed a comprehensive line of minimally traumatic, bone and cartilage-preserving knee implants and instrumentation designed to address all stages of osteoarthritis. Each of these devices has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration for marketing in the U.S.