Fort Wayne-based orthopedic device maker BioPoly LLC has added another innovation to its list of patents, this one a shoulder implant for people who suffer frequent dislocations.
The shoulder implant aims to treat Bankart lesions, a leading cause of chronic shoulder instability and recurrent dislocations, by using the company’s proprietary synthetic cartilage material called BioPoly. BioPoly combines the synthetic resin polyethylene with hyaluronic acid, which attracts water and aids in lubrication.
Traditional approaches to treating Bankart lesions transfer tissue from one location to another, BioPoly said. The company says its patented design helps reinforce the joint while protecting the surrounding cartilage from further wear and tear.
“Our goal is always to address real clinical problems where current options fall short,” BioPoly President Dr. Herb Schwartz said in a news release. “This technology is being developed to help surgeons restore shoulder stability for patients who experience recurrent dislocations.”
The company now has more than 20 patents issued for the BioPoly material and the implants that use it.
Inside INdiana Business reported in July that the company was nearing the beginning of an FDA-approved clinical trial for a knee implant that could help people avoid total knee replacement.