Michael Mainelli, Jr., is the new President and CEO of Memphis-based Active Implants Corporation.
Manelli Leads Active Implants

Mainelli has more than 20 years of experience in the medical device and healthcare industry and formerly served as President of Stryker Spine and President of Stryker Japan. He began his career at General Electric Company, where he worked in a number of business units, ultimately rising to an executive role at GE Medical Systems, now called GE Healthcare.
Mainelli holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, an MSE from the University of Pennsylvania and a BMSE from Northeastern University. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Active since early 2008 and is also a member of the Board of Directors of Autocam Corporation.
“I’m proud to be joining the Active Implants organization at this important point in the company’s evolution. Initially, we will focus on advancing the development and adoption of our TriboFit Hip System, which we believe will provide surgeons with a next-generation bearing surface system. Subsequently, we will turn our attention to developing the NUsurface Implant knee system, which we believe will provide surgeons with a new knee treatment option via an MIS, arthroscopic approach, ” Mainelli told OTW after his appointment on May 18.
Active Implants incorporates medical grade polycarbonate urethane technology into orthopedic products through its TriboFit Hip and NUsurface Implant systems.
The hip system, a CE marked device now being commercialized in Europe, is a bearing surface system used with total and partial hip arthroplasty systems, and hip resurfacing systems. The company believes the technology may enable clinicians to offer their patients the benefits of improved wear and improved range of motion and stability, without the disadvantages often associated with current bearing systems.
The knee implant system designed to treat early-stage knee degeneration by less invasive arthroscopic technique, is in early studies in Europe.
Over the past five years, the company developed its first product, had three rounds of fundraising and initiated commercialization of its products in Europe.
Mainelli succeeds Stephen Bradshaw, one of Active’s founders.

Discussion
This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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