BioPoly
Rethinking Joint Resurfacing Procedures

As cartilage defects do not heal on their own, orthopedic surgeons are always searching for advanced options to repair, regenerate, and replace damaged cartilage. Particularly in the weight-bearing joints of the body, such as knees, hips, shoulders, and ankles, the treatment of cartilage lesions can be challenging. The defects, which are usually a result of joint injuries or of constant wear and tear of cartilage tissue, cause pain and loss of mobility with long-term complications like osteoarthritis. Common procedures to treat cartilage defects are microfracture surgery and other biologic procedures, such as MACI or OATS. These biological treatments rely heavily on the patient’s own biology for a positive outcome and often require 4-7 months or more of rehab only to result in mixed outcomes at best. Alternatively, surgeons perform total or partial joint arthroplasties, or in simpler terms, joint replacement surgeries. The treatment choice largely depends on patient age. While younger patients are more suitable for biologic alternatives, older patients who are not suitable for these biological procedures are often too young for joint replacement procedures. Amid these two extremes (patients who are too old for biologics and too young for joint replacement), orthopedic surgeons often find it difficult to orchestrate an effective treatment plan.

This is where Indiana-based medical device company, BioPoly LLC, steps in as a boon for surgeons, offering a clinically-proven novel solution for treating focal cartilage defects.

Established in 2006, BioPoly brings forth a revolutionary concept of partial joint resurfacing with its patented BioPoly material. Put simply, BioPoly is an implant utilizing an advanced biomaterial to resurface cartilage defects. The BioPoly material contains hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring lubricating biomolecule found in the joint fluid, combined with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene or UHMWPE. This cartilage-friendly implant with enhanced lubricity allows the joint surfaces to glide against each other without causing pain or damage. Since the procedure is minimally invasive, patients recover rapidly and return to a pain free, active lifestyle quickly.

The BioPoly devices are implanted via a minimally invasive, bone-conserving mini-arthrotomy so that the patient can resume activity almost immediately after the surgery

“The BioPoly implants strike the perfect balance between biological treatments and joint replacements by replacing only the damaged cartilage with our innovative biomaterial to deliver a clinically-proven treatment to eliminate joint pain,” says Herb Schwartz, president and CEO of BioPoly. The company currently has an IDE clinical study approved for its BioPoly RS Knee implants, and, at the same time, is preparing 510(k) Premarket Notification submissions to launch other BioPoly devices in the U.S.

Meanwhile, in Europe, the company has been showcasing the published safety and efficacy of its leading-edge resurfacing devices since 2012. “The BioPoly devices are implanted via a minimally invasive, bone-conserving mini-arthrotomy so that the patient can resume activity almost immediately after the surgery,” explains Schwartz.



BioPoly has also carved a niche for itself in the sports medicine and orthopedic markets. Schwartz recalls a case where a BioPoly implant was used to help Mary Keal, a 45-year-old teacher, alleviate the constant pain in her knee. Keal had already undergone several procedures without any success and was deemed unsuitable for knee replacements due to her age. With the help of BioPoly, surgeons at The London Clinic were able to perform a minimally-invasive knee joint resurfacing surgery on Keal, “and she did not have to resort to painkillers anymore,” mentions Schwartz.

"The BioPoly implants strike the perfect balance between biological treatments and joint replacements by replacing only the damaged cartilage with a groundbreaking biomaterial to deliver a clinically-proven treatment to eliminate joint pain"

With several such success stories, BioPoly is constantly furthering its footprint in the orthopedic landscape. In the next 12 to 18 months, the company is planning to launch devices in the U.S. market for the treatment of shoulder, foot, and knee injuries. To accomplish this mission, BioPoly is teaming up with leading orthopedic surgeons and paving the way for superior cartilage resurfacing solutions.