Welsh surgeon's invention improves recovery from shoulder surgery
17 May 2011
A South Wales orthopaedic surgeon has turned his invention
into a marketable medical device with the help of Leeds-based medical
device manufacturer, Xiros.
The new surgical device is set to be used in operating theatres for
repairing massive tears of the shoulder’s rotator cuff previously
regarded as irreparable.
The shoulder device comprises a wide polyester ligament that bridges
the gap between the torn rotator cuff and the humeral head.
Following surgical augmentation of a series of massive tears during
the trials, 90% of patients remained free from pain with improvement
of function and range of movement.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr Atif Nada practices at Neville
Hall Hospital in Abergavenny and in 2008 he responded to a call by
manufacturer Xiros for surgeons to share ideas that could improve
surgical procedures and patient recovery.
Mr Nada’s ideas for an improved shoulder surgery device were
patented jointly, and he is set to share in any profits from the
sales of the new Rota-Lok device that is being marketed to hospitals
and doctors all over the world.
“Many surgeons have ideas that could improve the materials and
equipment we use every day in theatre, but when I was aware of a
programme run by Xiros to research and develop the inventions and
take them through patenting and testing I was keen to see if my
ideas would translate to a new product,” said Mr Nada.
Two years of tests, development and successful trials of the new
surgical device and procedure have led to consistent relief from
pain and improved shoulder movement for the majority of patients.
The trials were led by Mr Nada at Neville Hall Hospital,
Abergavenny, using the Rota-Lok device, developed and manufactured
at Xiros headquarters in Leeds, where the firm already manufactures
a range of similar surgical products sold under the Neoligaments
brand, including knee ligament devices that have been used to treat
over 100,000 patients worldwide.
Dr David Beevers, who leads the Xiros programme to develop
surgeon’s products said: “We appealed for surgeons’ ideas in 2008,
and although Mr Nada’s Rota-Lok is the first product to be launched
commercially, we have registered several patents and are in the
process of developing at least ten other new products that have been
invented by surgeons and medical professionals.”
“Our devices are used by medical professionals every day and who
better to devise new procedures and product enhancements? We are
experts at development, intellectual property protection and
manufacture, so together with the person who had the idea we can
handle the whole process with little time involvement from the
surgeons who tend to be hugely busy people,” he added.
Xiros anticipates the launch of a further five similarly
developed products in the coming year, all aimed at reducing
surgical patient discomfort and improving recovery in a shorter
time.