MedShape Inc., Atlanta, Ga., announces the closing of $11 million in new financing. The investment will help drive further development and commercialization of pipeline products, including the full market release of the Eclipse Soft Tissue Anchor, MedShape’s newest shape memory polymer fixation device for soft tissue repair.
Made out of MedShape’s proprietary PEEK (polyether ether ketone) Altera, Eclipse features a non-rotational deployment technique that allows surgeons to better replicate native soft tissue anatomy and functionality. The two-part sheath-and-bullet design provides a simplified insertion and improved fixation strength compared to traditional tenodesis screws. Available in 4-9 mm diameters and 10-20 mm lengths, Eclipse accommodates numerous anatomies in tenodesis and tendon transfer procedures. PEEK Altera is biocompatible, biostable, radiolucent, and MRI safe.
MedShape received FDA 510(k) clearance for Eclipse in March 2013. Since August 2013, Eclipse has been under a controlled market release, available to a select group of surgeons. The first clinical use occurred on August 5, 2013 with Dr. Grant Padley successfully performing a proximal biceps repair at Arizona Spine and Joint Hospital in Mesa, AZ. In addition, Eclipse has been successfully used in hand, knee, foot and ankle soft tissue reconstruction procedures.
“I prefer the Eclipse device over the implant I previously used for its ease of use,” said Dr. Padley. “Unlike traditional tenodesis devices that can rotate and lacerate the soft tissue, Eclipse’s sheath expansion method gives me the ability to place the soft tissue in the prepared bone tunnel and easily maintain the desired position throughout the procedure.”
