Smith and Nephew recognised at technology awards

Smith & Nephew, the British orthopaedics and wound care company, has received international recognition for two of the company’s latest products.

The Hull-based firm was recognised by the Wall Street Journal’s 2006 Technology Innovation Awards for its Calaxo osteoconductive interference screw and the Versajet hydrosurgery system.

Smith & Nephew claims it is the only major orthopaedics company to have been selected for technological innovation, as well as the only entrant to have two products chosen from the same category.

Sir Christopher O’Donnell, Smith & Nephew’s chief executive, remarked: “Our company continues to drive forward innovation in medical technology and the Calaxo Screw and Versajet are exciting products which contribute greatly to the improvement of people’s lives.”

The company was “proud” of the achievements of its researchers, Sir Christopher added.

The Calaxo screw is used to secure grafts during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and is constructed from a bone-stimulating material that is designed to be absorbed into the bone, while replacing the screw tunnel with new bone.

Meanwhile, the Versajet hydrosurgery system allows surgeons to fire an ultra-thin jet of fluid at supersonic speeds, allowing for precise surgical procedures.