ALACHUA, Fla., May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Regeneration Technologies, Inc. (RTI) , the Florida-based processor of orthopedic, cardiovascular and other biologic implants, is holding the official launch of its patent-pending Adjustable Bone Tendon Bone (BTB), the first in a new line of assembled tendon implants, at the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) annual meeting in Hollywood, Fla., this week, and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) meeting in Hershey, Penn., next month.
“The Adjustable BTB implants are the first bone patellar tendon bone grafts that can be easily tailored by the surgeon to fit individual patients. This is a revolutionary concept in joint repair,” said Brian K. Hutchison, RTI chairman, president and CEO. “The official launch of these implants is just the latest example of how RTI is leading the biologics evolution in health care.”
Currently, the company estimates that allograft bone patellar tendon bone implants are available for less than 10 percent of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions in the United States. The demand for these tendons far exceeds the currently available supply from current levels of available tissue. The assembled tendon line of implants allows RTI to maximize each gift of tissue donation. With this technology, even more recipients can return to their active lifestyles, while meeting tissue donor families’ expectations that their loved ones’ gifts will help as many people as possible.
“As we expand distribution of these new assembled tendons, we expect to see a 15 - 20 percent increase in the availability of bone tendon bone implants in the second half of 2006, with much higher increases in subsequent years,” Hutchison said.
The adjustable implants provide surgeons with an equivalent alternative to natural bone tendon bone grafts in strength and biocompatibility. The new Adjustable BTB offers the flexibility of soft tissue grafts with bone tendon bone fixation. Features include pre-drilled suture holes and a pre-attached bone block (tibial end) for quick preparation. Surgeons can size the Adjustable BTB to fit any joint aperture. The Adjustable BTB is delivered to surgeons sterilized through RTI’s BioCleanse(R) process and is covered by multiple U.S. and international patents pending.
The Adjustable BTB will be available through RTI’s direct representatives and distributors. Information and demonstrations will be available at AANA, booth 208, and AOSSM, booth 600, or by contacting an RTI representative at (800) 624-7238.
About Regeneration Technologies, Inc.
RTI processes allograft and xenograft tissue into shaped implants for use in orthopedic, cardiovascular and other surgeries with a commitment to science, safety and innovation.
RTI also holds the patents on BioCleanse(R), the only proven tissue sterilization process validated to eliminate viruses, bacteria, fungi and spores from tissue without impacting the structural or biomechanical integrity of the tissue. The company has distributed more than 675,000 allograft implants sterilized with the BioCleanse process with zero incidence of infection. RTI is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks and was named a 2004 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum.
Except for historical information, any statements made in this press release about the company’s anticipated financial results, future operational results, regulatory approvals or changes to the company’s agreements with its distributors are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties, such as those described in the company’s public filings on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results reflected in these forward-looking statements. Copies of the company’s SEC filings may be obtained by contacting the company or the SEC or by visiting RTI’s web site at http://www.rtix.com or the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov .
Regeneration Technologies, Inc.
CONTACT: Wendy Crites Wacker, APR, Corporate Communications, or NancyWalsh, APR, Marketing Communications, both of Regeneration Technologies,+1-386-418-8888
Web site: http://www.rtix.com/
