Cobalt Chrome Additive Total Knee Successfully Tested by Italian Startup

Italian startup Rejoint recently completed its first ASTM mechanical testing campaign of YourKnee™, a cobalt chrome total knee replacement system additively manufactured using Electron Beam Melting (EBM).

Cobalt chrome and titanium are the most widely used metals in knee implants. According to Rejoint leadership, the company aims for YourKnee to be the first CE-Marked cobalt chrome total knee system utilizing EBM additive manufacturing. “There are companies that claim to provide 3D-printed total knees,” commented Gian Guido Riva, Founder and CEO of Rejoint. “The reality is that they 3D-print patient-specific plastic instruments, or they 3D-print a wax mold that will be used to cast the femoral and tibial components of each implant.”

The first YourKnee surgery is slated to occur in Italy during 1Q19, with commercial partner Link Orthopaedics. Limited launch is slated for 2H19, following expected receipt of CE Mark approval in 2Q19.

Rejoint’s approach to total knee replacement leverages elements of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, surgical simulation, pre-op planning, patient-specific femoral and tibial components, wearables and post-op rehabilitation to bring greater efficiencies to procedures and aid patient recovery.

Other partners to Rejoint include Arcam, a GE Additive Company; Enhatch, developer of an inventory/logistics platform and Fit2Kit™ patient-specific planning software; Orthokey, provider of Computer Aided Surgery tools like the Perseus smart cutting guide for YourKnee total knee replacement; and Sensoria Health, a provider of artificial intelligence solutions for healthcare including senors for post-op rehab.

Rejoint leadership boasts several decades of experience in the medical device industry, previously working for companies including Stryker, Smith & Nephew, Covidien, SAMO and Sorin.

Mr. Riva, previously CEO of SAMO, said that Rejoint’s successful mechanical test marked a milestone for the company and its partners. “After several years of close collaboration with leading surgeons and our technology partners, we have validated the use of the material and are prepared to deliver the future of orthopaedic surgery.”

Read more: In the last several decades, numerous achievements have been made in modern total knee replacement in areas of materials, design and computer technology. You can learn about them here.

 

JAV

Julie A. Vetalice is ORTHOWORLD's Editorial Assistant. She has covered the orthopedic industry for over 20 years, having joined the company in 1999.

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