DJO Global's Surgical business unit has signed a license agreement with the University of Utah to develop a percutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis (POP) to aid above the knee amputees.
POP, which includes an implant in the femur, protrudes through the skin and attaches to a prosthetic limb.
DJO Global said prior, POP have showed difficulty with infection at the site where the implant protrudes through the skin.
To prevent the cause for infection, Roy Bloebaum of University of Utah and his team of researchers have developed a device using DJO Surgical's new proprietary titanium P2 porous coating.
P2 acts as both the bone in-growth as well as seal material on the implant that provides a soft tissue seal around the device to prevent bacteria from entering the body.
Animal study including over 80 sheep were implanted with the device to assess the capability of the P2 porous coating.
The study showed no infections after one year and the implant showed good mechanical strength.
DJO said development work on the human implant has already started and clinical trials are expected to begin in two years.
DJO Surgical senior vice president and general manager Bryan Monroe said, "With the combination of our proprietary titanium P2 porous coating and Dr. Bloebaum's unique approach for POP, we believe that we have developed a winning solution that will have a monumental impact on the lives of amputees."
