Innovative Citrate Based Tendon Fixation System Launched

Stryker’s Trauma & Extremities Division, headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey, has launched its Citrelock Tendon Fixation Device System. The new system provides surgeons a differentiated design via a tendon thread featuring a resorbable technology, known as Citregen, that has unique chemical and mechanical properties for orthopaedic surgical applications.

Stryker officially launched Citrelock at the September American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to the company, its Citrelock Tendon Fixation Device System offers:

• A controlled and homogeneous resorption process that prevents bulk degradation and chronic inflammation.
• Compressive strength that is comparable to cortical bone with a modulus comparable to cancellous bone.
• Citregen contains citrate, calcium, and phosphate molecules that are inherent to the bone anatomy.
• Material polymer structure that mimics the extracellular matrix protein network.
• Citregen maintains structural integrity during the healing phase, while the implant is replaced by host tissue over time.

“By leveraging Citregen’s unique material properties, the Citrelock Tendon Fixation Device System introduces design features to ease insertion and secure fixation without damaging the tendon during placement,” said Wayne Berberian, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon at HMH Hackensack University Medical Center. “It has been exciting to observe the development of a biomaterial for use in orthopaedic applications. I’m excited to start using Citrelock in my practice.”

Michael Rankin, VP of Marketing and Medical Education, Foot & Ankle at Stryker, explained to OTW, “The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society meeting was a great success, and we had the opportunity to discuss Citrelock with a number of attendees and to answer questions about the Citregen technology and current Stryker Trauma & Extremities’ products.”

“Citrelock is the first product that came to fruition as part of our Citregen technology platform,” Rankin continued. “Citregen has biomaterial properties that give Citrelock the ability to preserve tendon integrity upon insertion, provide improved pullout strength when compared to other thermoplastic polymer or composite tenodesis screws, and resorb predictably without acid dumping to prevent chronic inflammation. We are excited to continue leveraging this innovative technology in future products, with the goal of improving patient outcomes.”