IlluminOss Medical Inc. Announces First Photodynamic System Distal Radius Repair

Published: Jul 21, 2011

MARL, GERMANY--(Marketwire - July 21, 2011) -

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IlluminOss Medical Inc, the company pioneering photodynamic orthopedic implants, announced the first use of its product in the repair and stabilization of a distal radius fracture, one of the most common forms of wrist fracture, in an 80 year-old female patient. The patient had been treated previously with a conventional open surgical fixation by a locking plate, with failure of this initial treatment through pull-out of the screws that secured the plate to the osteoporotic bone.

Dr. Frank Hoffman, a leading trauma surgeon in Germany, implanted the IlluminOss Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System to repair and stabilize the wrist.

Dr. Hoffman stated, "With the use of the IlluminOss System, I was able to successfully treat a patient who had previously fractured her wrist, but who then suffered a failure of the plate implant used in initial treatment. In using the IlluminOss System to both stabilize the fractured radius and provide reinforcement for the continued use of locking screws and the plate, I was able to achieve a rapid repair of the wrist with a security of screw retention that is now independent of the patient's osteoporotic bone. Without this internal IlluminOss implant, I doubt that I would have had a means to ensure secure screw engagement in this patient's bone."

The minimally invasive IlluminOss Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System is used in treating fractures through a small entry into the bone. The flexible balloon catheter is inserted into the bone and placed across the fracture site. A proprietary liquid monomer is then infused through the catheter, expanding the balloon that assists in the alignment of the fractured bone. A special light source is then used to illuminate the monomer inside the balloon, converting it into an exceptionally tough, hardened polymer implant. The result is a customized orthopedic implant that provides strength and stabilization to the bone during the healing process.

Dr. Hoffman continued, "I was amazed at how easily I was able to gain access to the radius with only a small incision. The incision I made was dramatically smaller compared to the traditional plate implant that was used originally. Being able to rapidly form a large implant through an easy-to-close and tiny incision has benefits to operating room time and patient comfort and cosmesis."

Scott Rader, President and CEO of IlluminOss Medical, said, "This case further demonstrates the power of the platform that IlluminOss has developed, and its ability to treat a host of clinical applications throughout the anatomy. Utilizing a simple, safe, minimally invasive implant that conforms to the patient, we are proving the versatility of the IlluminOss Photodynamic system that will dramatically advance fracture treatment and provide improved patient care."

Dr. Hoffman continued, "After closing the tiny skin incision, the patient had mobility of her wrist without the need for heavy external plaster casts after a rapid 35 minute procedure. The minimally invasive approach provided by the IlluminOss System reduces injury to surrounding skin, muscle and soft tissues. I had been told how easy it was to use, and I am very satisfied with this result. I am impressed with the system's capabilities, and I look forward to utilizing this in a broad spectrum of patient treatments."

About Paracelsus Klinik, Marl (Klinikum Vest GmbH)
The Paracelsus Klinik is one of the leading hospitals in Germany. The Department of Trauma Surgery, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery is one of the most respected in Germany, and is well known for offering leading-edge solutions to challenging orthopedic problems.

About IlluminOss Medical
IlluminOss Medical is a privately held medical device company dedicated to the development of minimally invasive orthopedic systems for the stabilization and treatment of bone fractures. The IlluminOss Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System utilizes a photodynamic (light-curable) polymer system designed to eliminate the need for traditional methods of bone fixation with external pins, plates and screws.

The company has developed the IlluminOss Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System for treating fractures and has CE Mark approval for the use of its product in low load bearing bones in the metacarpal, radius, ulna, distal radius, olecranon, clavicle and fibula.

The IlluminOss platform technology is presently being extended to applications in weight bearing bones, spine, sports medicine, cranial-maxillofacial fields and site-specific therapeutic drug delivery.

Founded in 2007, IlluminOss is headquartered in East Providence, RI, and funded by Foundation Medical Partners, New Leaf Venture Partners, and Mieza Capital. For more information about IlluminOss Medical, please visit www.illuminoss.com.