Smith and Nephew launches Healicoil PK suture anchor

Smith and Nephew has announced the launch of the Healicoil PK suture anchor, a new medical device that offers various advantages for rotator cuff repair applications.

The revolutionary new open-architecture suture anchor eliminates the inner diameter material of typical solid-core anchors, providing more thread engagement and greater pullout strength than traditional offerings, even in poor-quality osteoporotic bone.

In addition, this design means that less material will be left in the shoulder, which will prove essential in procedures such as double-row rotator cuff repairs, where space is limited and multiple anchors are required.

Other advantages include its Peek-Optima Polymer composition, which guarantees strength and biocompatibility, while it also provides high torsional strength due to the inserter engaging 100 percent of the anchor's length.

Alain Tranchemontagne, senior vice-president for Smith and Nephew's advanced surgical devices division, said: "With its distinctive open-architecture design, the Healicoil PK suture anchor brings a new level of innovation to rotator cuff repair."

Last week, the company announced the appointment of Baroness Virginia Bottomley to a new non-executive directorial role.