Integra LifeSciences Introduces Allograft Cancellous Sponge
PLAINSBORO, N.J., Feb. 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp (Nasdaq:IART) announced today the launch of Integra™ Allograft Cancellous Sponge, a compressible bone graft composed of 100% cancellous bone. The sponge-like handling characteristics of Integra™ Allograft Cancellous Sponge allow it to absorb fluids like saline, blood or bone marrow aspirate. After rehydration, Integra™ Allograft Cancellous Sponge can be compressed to half its original size, and expands back to conform to a variety of spaces and defects, for maximum surgical flexibility.
"The unique handling characteristics and biocompatibility of Integra™ Allograft Cancellous Sponge make it an ideal addition to Integra's portfolio of allografts and orthobiologics, and provide another flexible solution for improving patient care," said Bill Weber, Vice President of Integra OrthoBiologics.
Surgeons frequently remove bone from the spine, extremities and pelvis that has been damaged by trauma, degenerative conditions and aging. Bone grafts are generally needed to fill in these defects and aid the body in regenerating new bone. Bone grafts provide a foundation or scaffold for the patient's body to grow new bone, and encourage new bone production and bone fusion.
Surgeons have historically obtained healthy bone graft material from the patient's own body, often from the iliac crest of the pelvis. Sourcing bone graft material in this manner requires additional surgery that may cause post-operative pain, and there is also a limit on how much of the patient's bone may be removed from the donor site.
Integra™ Allograft Cancellous Sponge offers a unique alternative for use as a bone graft in spinal fusion or general orthopedic surgeries. It may reduce the need to harvest the patient's own bone, sparing the patient additional surgery and limiting the risk of any associated complications.
The U.S. market size for bone graft substitutes in orthopedic spinal procedures is estimated at $560 million, excluding growth factors, stem cell therapies, and machined bone. In 2010, an estimated 1,050,000 orthopedic procedures were performed in the United States, including over 450,000 spinal fusions. Additional applications are found in orthopedic trauma and reconstructive procedures.
The Integra distributor network sells Integra™ Allograft Cancellous Sponge in the United States. Integra's extensive line of orthobiologic products allows the distributor network to provide a complete range of bone graft substitutes to orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons.
Integra LifeSciences, a world leader in medical devices, is dedicated to limiting uncertainty for surgeons, so they can concentrate on providing the best patient care. Integra offers innovative solutions in orthopedics, neurosurgery, spine, reconstructive and general surgery. For more information, please visit www.integralife.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the products and services provided by Integra. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. Among other things, the willingness of surgical professionals to use Integra™ Allograft Cancellous Spongemay affect the prospects for its use in surgical procedures. In addition, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors, identified under the heading "Risk Factors" included in Item IA of Integra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and information contained in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could affect actual results.
CONTACT: Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation
Gianna Sabella
Director of Corporate Communications
(609) 936-2389
gianna.sabella@integralife.com