Author: Antonio Berlen

Live TESSYS® operation at the 4th German Spine Congress, Munich

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

From December 10th-12th 2009, joimax® took part in the 4th German Spine Congress (DWG) in Munich. This congress has advanced to become the largest spine congress in Europe, overtaking the Eurospine. The DWG offered joimax® the opportunity to transmit a live operation into a conference room for the first time at a German spine congress. During a lunchtime workshop approximately 100 participants watched attentively as Dr. Michael Schubert (Apex Spine Center, Munich) performed an endoscopic intervertebral disc operation using the TESSYS® method in the ATOS Private Clinic Munich, with commentary by Dr. Florian Maria Alfen (Würzburg) – a premiere event at a German neuro or spine surgery congress. Bavarian Television (“Bayerisches Fernsehen”) immediately took up the story, broadcasting a report on this exciting event in the evening news on the very same day (10.12.2009).

Further information regarding the 2009 DWG can be found under http://www.dwg.org.

SDRI appoints joimax® as exclusive distributor for Synergy Cervical Disc in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

TORONTO, Dec. 12, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SDRI, developer of SYNERGY Disc and alternative spine technologies, enters into a five-year agreement with JOIMAX GmbH for exclusive rights to market and distribute the company’s SYNERGY family of products in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Karlsruhe-based Joimax, one of the leading medical device companies for minimally invasive spinal surgery, officially kicked off the alliance during an evening reception on December 11, during the 9th Annual German Spine Surgeons Meeting 2014 in Leipzig, Germany. Joimax also sponsored a luncheon symposium on December 12, where Dr. Thomas Bierstedt, and Dr. Bernd Illerhaus, both neurosurgeons from Orthopedic Neurosurgery Center (ONZ) in Datteln, shared their initial clinical experience and preliminary results utilizing the SYNERGY Disc for motion preservation procedures.

The SYNERGY Disc is the world’s first cervical disc replacement that is designed specifically to actively correct pre-operative deformity, prevent post-operative misalignment and provide optimal stability for multi-level procedures. The SYNERGY Disc incorporates a revolutionary geometry, offering multiple alignment corrections to provide surgeons with reliable and precise control of lordosis and sagittal balance.

The first clinical cases with the SYNERGY Disc were performed in 2009, in Europe. These pilot cases with the long-term, follow-up data have recently been submitted for publication.

“We are very excited with the initial results from Germany, which have validated our pilot cases,” commented SDRI’s Chief Executive Officer, Devesh Menawat. “We are eagerly anticipating the next follow-up periods and engaging in the next steps of our strategy designed to gain regulatory approval for our SYNERY Disc in the United States.”

Dr. Kemal Yucesoy, a neurosurgeon involved in the pilot study, stated: “The gold standard (cervical fusion) involves proper reconstruction of sagittal balance following decompression. Conventional disc replacements, however, do just the opposite; they restore range of motion but they have an unpredictable impact on sagittal balance. The Synergy Disc combines the best of both of these very successful treatments by restoring range of motion and normal sagittal balance to the patient. Restoring alignment of the spine is vital for long-term success of cervical disc replacements. Our long-term follow-up has demonstrated outstanding results. The SYNERGY Disc will help to expand the indications for cervical arthroplasty.”

“SDRI’s SYNERGY Disc addresses a significant unmet clinical need in patients suffering from alignment problems who, today, have no viable option,” said Wolfgang Ries, Joimax founder, chief executive officer and president. “We have begun to commercialize the product in Germany and early feedback from surgeons is very positive. We look forward to broadening the penetration for SYNERGY in German hospitals and delivering this surgical solution to doctors and hospitals in Austria and Switzerland.”

“Germany, Austria and Switzerland represent key international markets for our company,” added SDRI President Glenn Webb. “The size of these markets for spine products, combined with Joimax’s reputation for delivering relevant solutions and effective training for spine surgeons, provides us with a great opportunity for growth and to expand the adoption of our Synergy technologies into other markets. This alliance further supports our mission to give options to patients, who, otherwise, have no alternative treatments available.”

Synergy Disc is a registered trademark of SDRI. Joimax is a registered trademark of Joimax GmbH.

About Joimax GmbH.

Joimax GmbH, based in Karlsruhe, Germany, focuses on the development, production and marketing of technologies and methods of endoscopic spinal surgery. The complete Joimax systems provide the best possible visualization, tissue removal, stabilization and documentation in one, so the surgeon can work flexibly, independently and cost-effectively. The Joimax CM3, which includes surgery visitations, cadaver workshops and surgery support by experienced medical trainers and application specialists, employs a three-stage education program to train surgeons on the safe application of each specific surgery technique.

About SDRI, Inc.

Synergy Disc Replacement, Inc. (SDRI), headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, delivers alternative spinal technology solutions to solve complex surgical problems. The SDRI family of products include the SYNERGY® Cervical Disc. SYNERGY is the first and only artificial cervical disc to unite the needs for sagittal balance and motion, making it the only viable alternative to fusion in patients with pre-operative spine alignment issues.

A photo accompanying this release are available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=29639

Suzie Robinson, APR
Media and Investor Relations
| 214-577-9329

– See more at: http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/12/12/690985/10112195/en/SDRI-Appoints-JOIMAX-as-Exclusive-Distributor-for-SYNERGY-Cervical-Disc-in-Germany-Austria-and-Switzerland.html#sthash.Qxd2qOZ3.dpuf

joimax® Introduces Intracs® em Electromagnetic Navigation System – New Minimally Invasive Device Exhibited at EUROSPINE Barcelona and NASS Los Angeles

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Irvine, Calif. — joimax®, the Germany-based market leader of technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic spinal surgery, introduces another minimally invasive device, Intracs® em Electromagnetic Navigation System, at two global spine events: EUROSPINE Barcelona, the Spine Society of Europe’s annual conference and expo (September 19-21), and NASS 2018, the North American Spine Society premier meeting in Los Angeles (September 24-28).

“With developments such as Intracs® em, we are steadily positioning ourselves as true innovators in this space.”, states Wolfgang Ries, Founder and CEO of joimax®, “And we further strengthen our leading role in endoscopic spinal surgery.” he adds.

Intracs® em Electromagnetic Navigation System

Intracs® em relies on electromagnetic tracking and is specifically designed for simple and safe access to any spinal target. For exceptional accuracy, the instruments are vector-guided directly at the tip; therefore, bending of needles or other pliant instruments will not affect the navigation’s precision. The new smart and user-friendly system can serve as a stand-alone device, or be completely integrated with the joimax® Endoscopic Tower. It is the only system on the market which allows for simultaneous navigation of multiple instruments such as needles, guiding rods, reamers, and endoscopes; developed by joimax®.

The full European product launch is scheduled for Q4 2018. The global launch, including the United States, will be rolled out in the beginning of 2019.

Trade Show Exhibitions and Demo Workshops

joimax® will be exhibiting at EUROSPINE 2018 and NASS 2018.

  • EUROSPINE 2018: On September 20, joimax® will present at a lunch symposium. In addition, members of the internationally acclaimed joimax® faculty group will host daily Meet the Expert sessions at the joimax® booth, No. 05A.
  • NASS 2018: On September 27, the company will be part of the After Hours Workshop presentation and hands-on cadaver lab. Plus, following a successful introduction at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) in New Orleans last March, joimax® will showcase its combined 4K UHD resolution camera and LED light source system, Camsource® LED, and the fully integrated documentation and command system, Vitegra® Docu and Command. Presentations held at Booth No. 1529.

joimax® Launches New iLESSYS® Biportal Interlaminar Endoscopic Surgical System

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KARLSRUHE, Germany – (BUSINESS WIRE) – joimax®, the German-based market leader in technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, launched its new iLESSYS® Biportal Interlaminar Endoscopic Surgical System for the treatment of spinal disorders at the EUROSPINE 2023 Annual Meeting in Frankfurt and at the SMISS Annual Forum (Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery) in Las Vegas, marking its global debut. This week, it will be presented at the NASS meeting (North American Spine Society) in Los Angeles.

The new instrument set, iLESSYS® Biportal for unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE), expands the wide range of joimax® endoscopic offerings by separating the instrument working port from the endoscope, allowing for free relative movement between the two. The iLESSYS® Biportal offers all instruments tailor-made for biportal spinal endoscopy, with:

  • A special Triangulation Tool to simplify the access triangulation of two ports
  • Biportal specific working tubes with inbuilt irrigation outflow control for precise water management
  • Larger, more powerful tools for effective tissue ablation and resection

“This system is excellent and will allow me to perform the surgeries not only biportally but also bimanually,” stated Javier Quillo-Olvera, M.D., spinal neurosurgeon and an expert in biportal surgery at the Brain and Spine Care Group, Querétaro, Mexico. “It allows me to use the iLESSYS® Pro working channel endoscope. I’m excited to use it with my patients.”

EUROSPINE attendees were impressed that this comprehensive system could be used as a biportal system and available for bimanual surgical procedures. Moreover, the iLESSYS® played a key role during the expert talks, spurring debate about when to use the transforaminal (TESSYS®) and when to use the interlaminar (iLESSYS®) approach for a given spinal disease.

“The system will be part of the ESPINEA® training and education program and will be fully implemented in the workshop courses by the end of the year,” commented Wolfgang Ries, CEO and founder of the joimax® group. “We´ve already lined up a range of surgical faculty in Europe (Dr. Ralf Wagner, Dr. Maxime Challali, Dr. Raed Abohussein, Dr. Miguel Loureiro), in the Americas (Dr. Peter Derman, Dr. Meng Huang, Dr. Javier Quillo-Olvera) and in Asia (Prof. Si-Young Park, Dr. Junseok Bae) among others in each of these regions, with many more to follow.”

joimax® Launches Numerous Innovations at EuroSpine Milan From 19 To 21 October 2011

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Karlsruhe/Milan, October 17th, 2011. In its anniversary year joimax® presents numerous innovations – at EuroSpine Milan for the first time, opening up the series of the big autumn congresses and exhibitions.

For the first time joimax® presents the now complete product range for endoscopic spinal surgery, showing the novel pain therapy product “Multiuse”. The new Multiuse-Set comprises instruments for endoscopic facet joint denervation or so-called rhizotomy. Subsequent to the iLESSYS® system for 360° decompression launched in spring 2011, it completes the joimax® product range that was kicked off with TESSYS® years ago. Further special blades for the successfully launched Shrill® shaver-drill resection and ablation system will be introduced to the market also.

At EuroSpine joimax® will display its complete endoscopic system of the 3rd generation with Vitegra®3 for the first time. This is the most recent generation of fully integrated documentation systems. With D-Camsource® HD LED, the first fully integrated HD camera technology with LED light source will be introduced. The joimax® proprietary radio frequency system Endovapor® will be presented to the public with new bi-polar probes.

This rapid-fire launching of a variety of new products proves again the leading position of joimax® in the field of endoscopic spinal surgery. To accompany this, joimax® offers a lunch workshop on October 20th, 2011. Congress attendees can register directly at the joimax® booth. Members of the international joimax® faculty team will present their experiences when applying the joimax® instruments, devices and surgery methods.

Further important events right after EuroSpine on the joimax® agenda are the SMISS in Las Vegas, USA, the NASS in Chicago with a big workshop to be held at the renowned Chicago Back Institute, the MEDICA in Duesseldorf, Germany, the Rome Spine Conference in Italy and finally the DWG annual congress in Hamburg early December, with another lunch symposium and an evening reception celebrating the 10th anniversary of the company.

joimax® hosts symposium at WCMISST; presents Kambin Award to German Surgeons

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Karlsruhe, Germany – June 9, 2016 – joimax®, the global developer and marketer of technologies and treatment methods for minimally invasive endoscopic spinal surgery, recently hosted an educational symposium and exhibit during the 5th World Congress of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery & Techniques (WCMISST), held June 1-4, in Jeju Island, Korea. The World Congress, which takes place every two years, is attended by more than 500 physicians and is recognized as one of the most important congresses for minimally invasive spine surgery.

Additionally, joimax® hosted an educational symposium for spine surgeons from across the globe. ”About 200 attendees gathered to learn about the techniques of endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery and the benefits of these techniques to both the surgeon and their patients,” said Wolfgang Ries, founder and CEO of joimax®. During the Congress’ Gala Dinner, joimax® had the honour of presenting the Parviz Kambin Award to Dr. Guntram Krzok and Dr. Ralf Wagner, both from Germany, for their excellence in endoscopic spinal surgery. The Parviz Kambin Award is presented to pioneers in the field of endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery. Nominees are selected by SMISS, WCMISST and joimax®.

Dr. Guntram Krzok, owner of a private practice in Friedrichsroda, Germany, has performed more than 3,000 endoscopic and transforaminal surgeries since 1999 and has provided training at 100 workshops. He was the first surgeon to introduce the TESSYS® technique in China and routinely publishes about his growing experience in the field.

Since 2007, Dr. Ralf Wagner, from the Ligamenta Spine Center in Frankfurt, has performed nearly 2,700 endoscopic surgeries with transforaminal, interlaminar and cervical systems, as well as endoscopic assisted stabilization with the joimax® EndoLIF® technique. He, too, has provided training at nearly 100 workshops, is an active speaker at international congresses and has published numerous scientific articles.

The Kambin Award, named after Dr. Parviz Kambin, was originally presented to Dr. Kambin (Philadelphia, PA) by the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) and joimax® at meeting held in April of 2011 in Denver, CO. Previous award recipients include: Dr. Michael Schubert (Munich, Germany), Dr. Menno Iprenburg (Veenhuizen, the Netherlands), Dr. Anthony Yeung (Phoenix, AZ), Dr. Florian Maria Alfen (Würzburg, Germany), Dr. Daniel Laich (Chicago, IL), Dr. Gabriele Jasper (Brick, NJ), Dr. Albert Telfeian (Providence, RI) and Dr. Sang-Ho Lee (Seoul, Korea).

joimax® Celebrates Resounding Success at the German Spine Society (DWG) Convention 2019

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe (GER) / Irvine, CA – December 3, 2019 – joimax®, the Germany-based market leader of technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic minimally-invasive spinal surgery, celebrated resounding success at this year’s German Spine Society (DWG), held November 28 to 30 in Munich, Germany. joimax® presented
its newest product innovations and hosted several informative sessions to rave reviews, exceeding expectations.

Spine Award 2019, joimax navigation system, Intracs, endoscopic spine surgery

Among the products showcased was a new member of the joimax® TESSYS® family, TESSYS® Thx, a system specifically developed for the symptomatic thoracic deherniation and decompression treatment. Surgeries utilizing TESSYS® Thx can avoid complications often associated with traditional open and microsurgical approaches, such as significant muscle damage, bony resection, and morbidities. joimax® also presented Intracs®em, the first electromagnetic system for endoscopic spine applications that can navigate instruments directly at the tip, if required. This navigation system combines side and AP images of the C-arm with the CT axial scan, providing surgeons with meaningful views of the target region. Intracs® em received its CE mark earlier this year and has been successful throughout Europe and Asia. FDA approval is pending; expected by year’s end. Moreover, joimax® presented its Endoscopic Spine Academy ESPINEA®. This modular training program, divided into a Pre-Clinical Training with anatomical models, endoscopic tools, and simulators, and a Clinical Training, part of the joimax® CM3 program consisting of visitation, hands-on workshops, and the first surgery, offers surgeons specific support to optimize and significantly shorten the individual learning curve.

Additional highlights included, the daily Meet the Expert Sessions, a Needle Placement Challenge with attractive prizes, and a lunch symposium on “Endoscopy in the Course of Time”.

joimax® CEO and Founder Wolfgang Ries states, “Our unmatched attention to the needs of surgeons enables us to be one step ahead. The reception of our products at this convention reinforced our commitment to endoscopy and underscored the importance of showcasing innovative products such as Intracs®em.  By participating in national and international spine congresses, we are able to achieve broad market penetration for the benefit of the patient”.

"This is the best thing I’ve ever done"

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

bauerfeind life magazine 2013/1- In the small Dutch village of Veenhuizen, Dr. Menno Iprenburg performs endoscopic surgery on his back patients. The results of his endoscopic operations with the joimax® TESSYS® method sometimes make patients weep for joy.

Dr. Menno Iprenburg has previously been stationed in Tanzania and Zambia as well as in many countries in Asia. As a young physician, he went wherever he was needed. Today the world comes to him. “Apart from Australia – no idea why – we have already had people from all known nations here.” By here, the orthopedist means a spot around 20 miles south of Assen. In the middle of the green expanse of North Holland, by a canal that goes on for miles, lies Veenhuizen. A few pretty, well-kept little houses; that’s all there is. At the end of the village, however, a collection of brick buildings emerges. “It is the remains of an old state jail, renovated a few years ago,” the physician explains. In one of the buildings, which used to be the quaran-tine station, the ‘Rugkliniek Veenhuizen’, also known as ‘Spineclinic Iprenburg’, set up home three years ago. Today, in a place previously used to prevent infection, intervertebral disk surgery is performed.

 

op_menno

TESSYS uses a natural keyhole

Patients who are plagued by pain after an inter vertebral disk prolapse undergo a special method of surgery with Dr. Iprenburg. “In Holland, we call it PTED (Percutaneous Trans-foraminal Endoscopic Discectomy),” explains the physician, “Internationally it is known as TESSYS (Transforaminal Endoscopic Surgical System).”This refers to an endoscopic procedure for removing the intervertebral disk prolapse with minimal surgical inter-vention. The special feature of TESSYS is that the surgeon can reach through the inter-vertebral foramen, a “natural keyhole,” with his smallest instruments to the location of the prolapse, where he can remove the press-ing tissue and free the trapped nerve. The patient lies on their side, the incision is only a few millimeters long, and there are few side effects as a result. Patients who come into the Rugkliniek stooping usually leave it a few hours later walking upright.

“I have my life back!”

“When you see the relief on the patient’s face it warms your heart.” Dr. Iprenburg puts on a video that shows himself and a patient immediately after surgery. Uncertain, but with astonishment in her eyes, the patient walks two or three steps. She stops in her tracks. Then she cries. “I have my life back”, she says, her voice breaking. Speechless. It is understandable, when faced with these kinds of images, that even the experienced physician concluded: “This is the best thing I’ve ever done.” Yet TESSYS has nothing to do with miracle cures à la Lourdes, as the physician made it sound. The procedure is internationally established and validated. In studies it has been described as “signifi­cantly ­superior” ­in­ comparison­ with ­the­ standard method (e.g. with the patient in a prone position). Apparently, around 10,000 inter vertebral disk operations have been carried out to date across the world using the TESSYS method. Of those, and there is evidence to prove it, 1,700 had taken place in Veenhuizen alone as of the start of 2013. Surgery is only carried out in the Rugkliniek when the pain has not reduced six to eight weeks after the intervertebral disk prolapse. Dr. Iprenburg learnt the double keyhole procedure in Germany and practiced it as an orthopedist in Assen, before founding his own private clinic in Veenhuizen. “Although the procedure is more expensive than the standard method, it is cheaper from a macro-economic perspective, because patients can start work again sooner,” said the physician.

For further information about Dr. Menno Iprenburg please visit www.herniaklinik.nl

joimax® obtains full product registration in Thailand, and is now active in 10 Asian countries

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Karlsruhe, Germany – February 27th, 2017 – joimax® further ensures its market access in Asia. The German based market leader of technologies and training methods for endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery is expanding its presence and recently has obtained full product registration from the Thai Food & Drug Administration (FDA). joimax® also has approvals in South Korea, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Vietnam. For Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan, the certification for the product range is expected in 2017. “We are constantly pushing the registration process in Asia to extend the availability of joimax® products. Thus, joimax® is well prepared to further widen its market presence in Asia, demonstrating our commitment to the fastest growing region of the world,” states Wolfgang Ries, Founder and CEO of joimax®.

For years, joimax® has been working with the Korean Wooridul group, the world’s largest Specialized Spine Hospital Network. Starting in 2017, joimax®, together with the Wooridul Hospital in Seoul, will offer International courses for Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery (MISS). In a series of four courses, provided in basic and advanced level, the education of international spine surgeons is ensured. The first one, chaired by joimax® faculty Dr. Sang-Ho Lee, South Korea, recently took place. The one-week training programs offer surgeons the opportunity to learn percutaneous endoscopic techniques and other minimally-invasive procedures with lectures, operation observation and hands-on-workshops. Since 2004, more than 600 spine surgeons and specialists from 41 countries have participated in these courses at Wooridul.

Participants of the National Minimal Invasive Spinal Summit Forum & 4th joimax User Meeting, held in Zhenghou City, China from Dec. 23rd until 25th, 2016

After the National Minimal Invasive Spinal Summit Forum, together with the 4th joimax® User Meeting in December, joimax® China, headquartered in Chengdu, will celebrate its 10th birthday in April 2017. On this occasion, numerous internationally well-known faculties will meet in Chongqing, China to share experience and expertise. Lectures and live surgeries are planned to be held in two hospitals and to be broadcasted via Internet.

joimax® ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH NAMSA

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Taps the market access professionals to oversee reimbursement strategy

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 a new strategic partnership with NAMSA, the only full continuum Contract Research Organization (CRO) in the world focused exclusively on medical devices. Recognized as a leader in reimbursement strategies, with years of experience in collaborating with public and private payors, Namsa will assist joimax®’ customers with reimbursement support services, including prior authorization and appeals support, across the United States.

“We are excited for NAMSA to serve as an exclusive partner to help patients access joimax®’ endoscopic technologies,” stated joimax® General Manager

Maximilian Ries. “We’re optimistic that with NAMSA’s assistance, and the nearly 5,000 clinical papers on endoscopic spine surgery, we will continue to expand coverage of this important, minimally-invasive technology”.

Since the creation of American Medical Association medical procedural code, CPT® 62380, Endoscopic Decompression of Neural Elements and/or Excision of Herniated Intervertebral Discs, in 2017, utilization of endoscopic spinal procedures has grown.

For details, visit www.joimax.com.