FDA Approves joimax® Intracs®em Electromagnetic Navigation System for Endoscopic Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

IRVINE, CA – joimax®, the German-based market leader in technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, is pleased to announce that Intracs® em, its electromagnetic navigation tracking and control system, has been approved by the FDA.

The Intracs® em Navigation System allows for spinal procedures to be carried out with minimal X-ray control, drastically reducing radiation exposure, access time, and the entire length of the surgical procedure. In fact, all joimax® instruments and scopes can be tracked and accurately navigated through the appropriate sensors, which improves safety, expands endoscopic indications, and flattens the learning curve.

Intracs®em is a multiyear development. Its first cadaveric trials were made with a group of surgeons at the ESPINEA® Labs in Karlsruhe, Germany and Irvine, CA.

According to Prof. Dr. med. Michael Kraus of ORTHIX Zentrum in Augsburg, Germany, who headed the preliminary trials: “Using Intracs® em Navigation System in the full endoscopic spine surgery is safe and easily applicable. The technology helps master precise access to the spine, and the clinical trials have confirmed the technique’s multiple advantages.”

Prof. Dr. Chris Hofstetter of UW Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, USA, adds: “joimax® Intracs®em constitutes a highly precise image-guided navigation platform designed for the specific needs of full-endoscopic spine surgery. Using electromagnetic navigation technology allows to track the leading edge of endoscopic instruments in real time, and facilitates needle targeting and orientation during the surgery, while minimizing radiation exposure. No doubt, this technology will expand the indications for full-endoscopic spine surgery and pave the way for innovations in minimally invasive arthrodesis techniques.”

joimax® is also excited to announce its second joint Global Symposium being held in partnership with Integrity Implants, Inc., August 21 – 22. For details, visit www.joimax.com.

joimax® at CAOS in Beijing, China

The 8th Annual Congress of the Chinese Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (CAOS) was held at the Beijing International Convention Center, Beijing, China on May 7-10.
joimax® joined this important international event both as an exhibitor and as an education partner.
CAOS, in collaboration with NASS, created the “Techniques in Complex Spine Surgery” program which featured six 1-hour live technique demonstrations, two 3-hour hands-on cadaver workshops, and five lectures with discussion. As expert support for this exciting program, CAOS invited two members of the joimax® Faculty Team: Dr. Guntram Krzok, Friedrichroda, Germany and Dr. Ralf Wagner, Frankfurt, Germany.
The two surgeons delivered well-visited lectures and demonstrated the joimax® TESSYS® technique. As a highlight of the event, the technique demonstrations were shared via webcast and more than 1000 surgeons viewed the program in the Beijing convention hall. More than 26,000 surgeons, surgical nurses and technicians viewed the demos online which enabled maximum visibility for joimax and its technologies.

The joimax® team members who supported the event on-site were deeply impressed by the strong interest in the latest spine surgery systems coming from many Chinese surgeons. Needless to say China is the largest medical market in the world and joimax® will continue to strengthen its relationship with local partners and training centers.

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Live webcast during joimax® TESSYS® technique demonstration at CAOS 2015.

„Shrill®“ – The new Shaver Drill System by joimax® for the treatment of spinal stenosis

Karlsruhe, 14 September 2010: Just in time before the major international fall congresses joimax® launches the „Shrill®“, another technical highlight for the broader application of the TESSYS® spine surgery technique. This multifunctional drill and resection system removes both soft and solid structures effortlessly and safely and hence completes the TESSYS® method for stenotic patients.

The obvious advantages for the surgeon: Shrill® is easy to program, enables intuitional use and it can be operated with buttons on the hand piece or the foot switch. The different shaver blades allow for safe and reliable removal of bone, soft or scar tissue in immediate vicinity of nerves.
The integrated irrigation and suction control provides a clear view on the operation area at all times.

„With this instrument we are now able to successfully operate spinal stenoses fully endoscopically“, says Dr. Menno Iprenburg, one of the first users of the TESSYS® System. „Decompressions of nerve structures in various levels of the spine under endoscopical view are now possible in one surgical session“, states Dr. Ralf Wagner, being an expert in this new surgery technique.

The advantages for the patient are evident as with all other joimax instruments: safety even in sensitive areas, fast pain relieve and regaining quality of life due to the minimal invasive surgery method.

Last but not least the advantage for the health care system: The short recovery time of the patient reduces cost to the patient and health insurance!

joimax® Hosts International Training Summit to Showcase Innovative Technologies Presents Kambin Award; Introduces Endoscopic Spine Academy

Karlsruhe, GER– March 12, 2019 – Earlier this month, at the international training summit dubbed, Faculty and User Meeting, joimax®, the Germany-based market leader of technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic minimally-invasive spinal surgery, presented its newest products and technologies. During the two-day event, joimax® also honored four surgeons with the Kambin Award and introduced the Endoscopic Spine Academy, ESPINEA.

The summit took place at the Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) in Salzburg, Austria, March 1-2, 2019 where more than 100 participants attended top-class presentations as well as well a human cadaver lab. The lab was equipped with ten hands-on training stations: six cadaveric stations with 4K image resolution equipment and within those stations, two Intracs® navigation systems where integrated; two stations with Real Spine simulation models; and two stations with the latest EndoTrainer® Plus virtual simulator, which can be used in any lab for training.

The Intracs® em electromagnetic navigation system for endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery in lumbar and thoracic applications is very easy to set up, extremely user-friendly, and ready to serve as a stand-alone device. Specifically designed for simple and safe access to any spinal target, the system relies on electromagnetic tracking and allows for simultaneous navigation of multiple instruments such as needles, guiding rods, reamers, and endoscopes, also developed by joimax®.

Dr. Erik Traupe (Germering, GER) stated: “I am really surprised how precise and easy navigation can be.”

After multiple successful introductions in 2018, Intracs® em is available globally, except in the United States, where FDA submission is planned in spring 2019.

Another trendsetting innovation presented at the summit: the joimax® TESSYS® Thx, a derivative of the well-known TESSYS®. Designed for a comfortable and safe treatment of decompressions in the thoracic region, it combines a special endoscope for thoracic applications, a viewing angle with 45° adapted to a steeper access route, a reduced diameter and a big working channel.

Jun Seok Bae, MD of the Wooridul Spine Hospital Group in South Korea is very excited about the advantages: “… just great, I want it a.s.a.p. and am ready in my hospital for daily usage!”

Moreover, joimax® showcased its EndoLIF® product line: the well-known 3D-printed EndoLIF® O/On-Cage, the EndoLIF® Delta Cage, and the latest EndoLIF® Double Wedge Cage, where approval is expected shortly.

Both Dr. Ralf Wagner (Frankfurt, GER) and Dr. Paul Houle (Cape Cod, MA, USA) are convinced of this solution for spinal fusion: “With the gentle and atraumatic access via gradual tissue dilatation, muscles remain intact and infection risk is reduced. Using

3D-printing technology, an open diamond cell structure, and a rough and porous surface, the implant ensures optimal bone ingrowth, stability and finally fusion.”

During the summit, the Parviz Kambin-Award was presented under the patronage of the PMU, ESPINEA and joimax® in recognition and honor of outstanding scientific and educational dedication to transforaminal surgery to Christoph P. Hofstetter (Seattle, WA, USA), Jian Shen (Amsterdam, NY, USA), Albert Telfeian (Providence, RI, USA) and Dinh Ngoc Son (Hanoi, Vietnam).

“I am thrilled about the Kambin Award, the most prestigious award in endoscopic spine surgery,” said Jian Shen.

Additionally, joimax® announced the recently founded and globally acting Endoscopic Spine Academy (ESPINEA). Backed by a scientific advisory board, ESPINEA offers professional and high-quality educational programs, specialty workshops and courses, and an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences. The goal of the academy is to elevate surgeons to the next level of expertise in endoscopic spinal treatment modalities.

The first two ESPINEA Board Members are Dr. Menno Iprenburg, NL, longstanding endoscopic surgeon and twice Kambin Award recipient, and Kambin Award recipient Prof. Alastair Gibson, UK, whose been performing endoscopic spine surgery since 2005, using almost all system applications.

joimax® celebrates 10 successful years on the market with TESSYS® at the WCMISST in Paris

Karlsruhe, 11.06.2014. joimax® looks back on 10 years of success with the surgical application of TESSYS® for the minimally invasive, endoscopic removal of herniated discs; a particularly gentle surgical technique which utilizes the natural transforaminal access to the spinal canal. TESSYS® was the first product that brought joimax® to market and was a breakthrough for the company. Today, joimax® offers a highly diversified product portfolio for 360° surgery in almost all areas of the spine including endoscopic and percutaneous stabilization.

During the award ceremony in Paris, two TESSYS® pioneers will be awarded with the “Parviz Kambin Honorary Award”: Dr. Florian Maria Alfen of Würzburg, who bought the very first TESSYS® system in 2004 and has successfully operated on more than 2,500 patients. As a member of the joimax® Faculty Team, Dr. Alfen has trained a large number of surgeons. The second award winner is Dr. Daniel Laich of Chicago. He is the very first TESSYS® user in the U.S. and has been a faculty member since 2009. Since 2013, he has also been operating as a scientific advisor for the company.

Since 2004, more than 100,000 patients in 30 countries were surgically treated with the TESSYS® method and its subsequent surgical developments. Follow-up studies show a significantly shorter recovery time, faster return to work and normal activities with improved quality of life and ultimately, lower costs to the social system.

At the WCMISST, the 4th World Congress of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Techniques, joimax® presents its latest development- the EndoLIF® system for endoscopic stabilization of the lumbar spine. Aside from fully endoscopic access via the proven TESSYS® and iLESSYS® methods, the EndoLIF® system contains an O-Cage for oblique interbody fusion. In addition, joimax® presents its new Percusys® System- a posterior, percutaneous screw and rod system. The advantages of these products and procedures are apparent:

– Smooth, atraumatic access due to gentle dilation of tissue
– Dura and nerves are protected by the working tubes
– Dorsal bone structures are generally not affected and remain intact
– O-Cage with an osteo-conductive surface provides the optimum substrate for cellular growth
– Posterior, percutaneous stabilization via the minimally invasive screw and rod system

Both of these systems are CE marked and FDA clearance is in progress.

Visit us at WCMISST, booth #15 at the Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel and discover for yourself the many advantages of our newest systems.

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joimax®announces major spike in attendance at its ESPINEA® workshops, reports record revenues

Karlsruhe (GER) — German-based joimax®, the market leader in technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, is excited to announce a major spike in attendance at its Endoscopic Spine Academy (ESPINEA®) workshops, which contributes to sustainable growth after another year of record revenues in 2021.

The growing interest can be attributed to increased coverage in literature and publications as cited on PubMed®. Moreover, the joimax®-initiated workshop program, now under the umbrella of ESPINEA®, offers optimal training for a variety of applications and procedures, making it attractive to a broader audience. 

joimax® established ESPINEA® three years ago. In Fall 2020, the Endoscopic Spine Academy was accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh (RCSEd). It is one of only four Accreditation Centers that meet its strict rigorous internal quality assurance processes. Together, with its growing team of faculty, joimax® developed the complete six-step curriculum to bridge the learning curve for spine surgeons. The curriculum, which was approved by the RCSEd, is developed as an educational program from beginners to masters alike.

J.N. Alastair Gibson DSc MD FRCSEd, a RCSEd and ESPINEA® Advisory Board Member sums it up: “The ESPINEA® mission is to serve endoscopic spine surgeons by providing a growing global network for lifelong learning to best benefit the patient. Our vision is to be the world’s leading interdisciplinary community in endoscopic spine surgery.”

In addition to holding ESPINEA® courses at the joimax®-owned premises in Karlsruhe (Germany) and Irvine (USA), they are also held at ORSI Academy (Belgium) and at other prestigious universities, such as Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg (Austria). Recently, ESPINEA® was rolled out in Thailand. Prior to the July PASMISS Meeting, the courses will be launched in Singapore for the APAC region, and following the October SMISS Meeting, launched widely in the U.S.

“Given the ongoing development of endoscopic spine surgery with more and more technological options, the benefits for the patients, along with the substantial publication, I am convinced that endoscopic spine surgery is now the gold standard,” states Iprenburg Spine Clinic Founder and ESPINEA® Advisory Board Member Dr. Menno Iprenburg.

With the ESPINEA® courses, surgeons can train on different procedures using the joimax® TESSYS®, iLESSYS®, CESSYS®, MultiZYTE®, EndoLIF®, Percusys® based on the latest NAVENTO® tower. Most of the courses are conducted in a hybrid mode — online and on-site presentations and lectures combined with in-person hands-on training using models, simulators and anatomical specimens.

ESPINEA® was established as an open education platform for other players in the field of spinal surgery as well. Therefore, further supporters have already joined and new entrants are welcomed.

CMS Includes Endoscopic Spine in Fee Schedule Proposed Rule for CY 2017

Baltimore, MD – July 14, 2016– The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the proposed rules for the 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS). Both proposed rules provide information on physician and hospital payment for the newly created CPT code 630X1 for endoscopic decompression of the lumbar spine.

“This is a great step towards the acceptance of endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and their benefits to both the surgeon and their patients in the U.S.,” said Wolfgang Ries, Founder and CEO of joimax®. This announcement is in alignment with the reimbursement decision of NICE, UK, in April of 2016, to fully reimburse endoscopic procedures.

A key reason for the recent momentum for endoscopic, minimally invasive spinal surgery is the significant, favorable base of literature, which validates evidence of the efficacy of endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery. A special edition, “Neurosurgical Focus”, published by the Journal of Neurosurgery (JNS) in February 2016, contains a range of studies on endoscopic spine surgery.

joimax® at the early summer congresses: SpineWeek Amsterdam and DGNC Leipzig

Karlsruhe, 20 March 2012. Right on time with the start into a new decade of the joimax® history, the Karlsruhe-based medical technology company specializing in endoscopic resp. micro-invasive spine surgery will be present at two renowned congresses in March: ISASS from 20 to 23 March 2012 in Barcelona und EndoVienna from 29 March to 1 April 2012 in Vienna.

For the 12th Annual Meeting of ISASS (International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery) joimax® will take part in the exhibition and offer an industry workshop with the motto „Endoscopic Spine Surgery – Following New Paths in Barcelona“. Speakers at this event on 21 March 2012 will be Dr. Choll Kim, San Diego, focussing on the outstanding advantages of endoscopic access techniques especially in the area of the lumbar spine. Followed by Dr. Michael Schubert, Munich, with a presentation of complex cases, extending procedures from the lumbar to the thoracic spine, and varying the access path from the transforaminal to the interlaminar surgery method with the joimax® instrument systems TESSYS® und iLESSYS®.

joimax® displays the complete product range for endoscopic spinal surgery: Instrument sets for the treatment of disc herniations – with CESSYS® now being available for the cervical spine –, the novel pain therapy product “Multiuse” for endoscopic facet joint denervation and the iLESSYS® system for 360° decompression. Further special blades for the Shrill® shaver-drill resection and ablation system and namely the Shrill® Deflector Blades for resections „around the corner“, eagerly anticipated by the market, will now be launched.

Preluding the 5th World Congress for Endoscopic Surgery EndoVienna, joimax® has invited internationally renowned specialists to join a User Meeting with presentations of the joimax® Faculty members and a workshop to be held at the Institute of Anatomy of the Vienna University. The User Meeting will be dedicated to an intense exchange of knowledge and ideas of the most experienced users of the joimax® technologies. It will be followed by the keynote lecture of Prof. Dr. G.J. Groen, Utrecht, „High-Resolution Imaging of the Spine: Key to a Better Insight in 3D Relations Within the Spine“, at the opening session of the EndoVienna congress. The program of the „EndoVienna Spine Session“ on 30 March 2012 offers a whole bunch of scientific presentations on the most recent joimax® products. Members of the international joimax® faculty team will present their experiences when applying the joimax® access and resection systems. This session will be chaired by Univ. Doz. Dr. Sandro Eustacchio from the University Hospital Graz.

joimax® is currently planning its attendance to the upcoming congresses: The 80th Annual Meeting of the AANS in Miami in April at the first place. The BASS Britspine in early May. End of May Spine Week in Amsterdam. To be followed by SFCR in Strasbourg in June – it is the first time that joimax® will participate in this congress of the Society of French Spine Surgeons with an exhibition stand and a workshop. Subsequently the company will promote its technologies at the DGNC congress to be held in Leipzig this time. All events focus on industry exhibitions displaying novel product developments and on scientific presence within the conference programs.

joimax® Expands Presence in Australia

Karlsruhe (GER) – joimax®, the German-based market leader in technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Australian medical device distributor, LifeHealthcare. The two companies have entered into a long-term relationship to provide a broader surgical choice for patients considering spinal surgery.

“We’re looking forward to working with a partner as strong as LifeHealthcare,” says joimax® Founder and CEO Wolfgang Ries. “LifeHealthcare shares our goals and vision, ensuring that we are able to deliver the highest standards of patient care.”

Endoscopic spine surgery has been steadily growing in popularity since the late 1990’s with exponential growth in the technique for the past ten years. Surgeons throughout the world have reported that this type of surgery can assist patients in faster recovery, enabling them to reduce their post-operative stay.

“We’re very pleased to collaborate with joimax®,” comments LifeHealthcare Chief Executive Officer Matt Muscio. “Endoscopic spine surgery is a technique that enables patients to have access to truly minimally invasive surgical procedures of the spine.”

Thus, joimax® strengthens its sales activities in Australia and enters into another important partnership across APAC.

patnership joimax and LifeHealthcare ; Flags of australia and germany ; minimally invasive spine surgery ; Joimax ; endoscopy

About LifeHealthcare

LifeHealthcare is a leading independent provider of healthcare solutions in Australia and New Zealand bringing healthcare professionals innovative medical devices by partnering with world class companies who share the vision of innovation and making a real difference to people’s lives. LifeHealthcare has been recognised as one of the Financial Times 1,000 High Growth Companies in Asia-Pacific. In May 2018, LifeHealthcare was acquired by Australia’s largest private equity fund, Pacific Equity Partners, a market leader that has been recognised as a Top 20 Consistent Performer Globally by Prequin. For further information, please visit www.lifehealthcare.com.au.

joimax® at the AANS in Washington, D.C.

From May 2-6, the 83rd American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting welcomed more than 3,000 medical attendees to Washington, D.C., to celebrate and reflect on both the history and future of neurosurgery.

The team from joimax® Inc. (Irvine, CA, US) participated in this important event as a corporate partner and showcased its products for minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). Traffic to the booth was high and the team was very satisfied with the outcome of the meeting. One topic that came up during many discussions with the visiting attendees was the screw-rod system Percusys® for spinal stabilization. The product received 510k clearance in March.

joimax® founder and CEO Wolfgang Ries from Karlsruhe, Germany, was invited as the keynote speaker for the Practical Clinic session “Invention and Innovation in Neuro- and Spine Surgery”. His one hour lecture on the first day of the AANS meeting presented a compelling picture on how joimax® evolved since 2001 when the company was founded. Key products and technologies were presented as well which led to engaged discussions after the lecture. Teodoro Forcht-Dagi, Co-Director of the session, commented: „joimax® is a remarkable example of an innovative start-up company that evolved to a successful mid-size local company. Its efforts to work with surgeons and refine MISS technology for the safety and benefit of patients are admirable. A large part of its success is attributable to the combination of technical quality and meticulous training. The company’s contribution to the development of MISS is huge.”

„The AANS Annual Meeting is extremely worthwhile to be at.” emphasized Wolfgang Ries. “For joimax® it was a great opportunity to interact with neurosurgeons and to discuss our well-established MISS techniques and products – made in Germany.”