Category: joimax® News

joimax® Announces Partnership with Southeast Asia Distributor, Transmedic Group

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

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 Transmedic Group, a top medical device distributor headquartered in Singapore. In this exclusive deal, Transmedic will represent joimax® in Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines and Indonesia. 

The long-term partnership will provide a broader surgical choice for patients considering endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery in these markets. With recent advances in the field of endoscopic discectomy (ED), the procedure has potential to supersedemicrodiscectomy (MD) as the gold standard of care in management of lumbar disc disease, as the latest literature suggests. 

“joimax® is very much looking forward to working with Transmedic Group,” says joimax® Founder and CEO Wolfgang Ries. “With the rising popularity of endoscopic approaches in the management of spinal diseases, we’re able to deliver the highest standard of patient care, strengthen our sales activities, and enter into another important partnership across APAC.” 

Teo Kee Meng, managing director of Transmedic Group commented, “We’re very pleased to partner with joimax®. With their technological advancements and use of new spinal access corridors, a major prevention of spinal structure collateral damage is assured, allowing for significantly reduced complications and improved postoperative recovery times.”

Joimax® Announces Partnership with Southeast Asia Distributor, Transmedic Group

About Transmedic Group
Transmedic Group was founded in 1980 with the aim of becoming the top specialist in the advanced medical technology area in Southeast Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, the privately held company has since grown its presence in seven countries with more than 500 employees, and is well-renowned as the leading provider of latest technologies in healthcare.

joimax® hosts SpineWeek symposium, leads live surgery broadcast during CAOS-NASS

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe, Germany and Singapore, Chengdu/Shanghai, China (May 25, 2016) – joimax®, the global developer and marketer of technologies and treatment methods for minimally invasive endoscopic spinal surgery, recently hosted an educational symposium and exhibited at SpineWeek in Singapore. SpineWeek takes place every four years and is viewed as one of the most important congresses, representing numerous international society leaders.

“The decision to participate in this congress was the right step to demonstrate our presence in the Asian region,” says Wolfgang Ries, CEO and founder of joimax®. “This year, there was a clear focus on endoscopic treatments by the participating societies, which created a strong interest in our lunch symposium. Approximately 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,” continued Ries.

To further validate the company’s expansion and presence in China, joimax® participated in the 9th Congress of the Chinese Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons – North American Spine Society (CAOS/NASS) meeting in Chengdu, China. The company was also involved with the Master Techniques in Spine Surgery Workshop, held on May 20, 2016 in Shanghai, China. Dr. Ralf Wagner, of the Ligamenta Spine Center in Frankfurt, Germany, led the technique-focused workshop and surgery, which was broadcast live to the meeting in Chengdu, as well as online to 30,000 Chinese surgeons.

joimax® Announces Leadership Changes,
Expands U.S. Commercial Operations

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

KARLSRUHE, Germany (BUSINESS WIRE) – joimax®, the German-based market leader in technologies and methodologies for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, announces the transition of Founder and long-standing CEO Wolfgang Ries to Executive Chairman and the appointment of Maximilian Ries to Chief Executive Officer.

joimax Logo on glass facade. joimax is your expert in minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery

After founding joimax® 24-years ago, Wolfgang Ries is stepping down as CEO to focus on research and development and to lead ESPINEA® Endoscopic Spine Academy, the only endoscopic training program accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Taking over as CEO is Maximilian Ries, who during his 16-year tenure at joimax®, held diverse leadership roles in product management, R&D, operations, and finance. He served as General Manager from 2016 to 2021 before returning to Germany in 2022 where he was most recently Executive Vice President of Global Operations and Business Development of joimax®.

joimax Logo on glass facade. joimax is your expert in minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery

“I am honored to lead joimax® into the next phase of growth as we continue advancing our market-leading endoscopic spine technologies,” stated Maximilian Ries. “We are seeing endoscopic spine surgery emerge as the new gold standard in minimally invasive spine care — a legacy built by Wolfgang that I’m proud to continue.”

Mr. Maximilian Ries
CEO of joimax® 

In the lead-up to these transitions, joimax® strengthened its U.S. commercial team with several key changes, including the promotions of Anthony Troncale to President, Levon Zanadvorov, MD to Medical Director, Joe O’Connor to Vice President of US Sales, Chris Lever to Vice President Business Operations and Finance, and Jarred Shewey to Director of Clinical Education, as well as the addition of Katherine Ray as Director of Global Marketing.

“I am handing off joimax® to a highly talented and experienced team of endoscopic spine experts under Max’s leadership,” said Wolfgang Ries. “I couldn’t be more excited about the company’s future and the continued advancement of endoscopic spine surgery.”

Mr. Wolfgang Ries
Founder and Executive Chairman of joimax® 

joimax® Showcases New Electromagnetic Navigation System Intracs® em at Global Spine Congress (GSC), Toronto and at German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC), Wurzburg Clinical Trials Start in Europe and Asia

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

IRVINE, CA – May 13, 2019 – joimax®,, the Germany-based market leader of technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic, minimally-invasive spinal surgery, is showcasing its Integrated Navigation Tracking & Control System, Intracs®em, at this year’s Global Spine Congress (GSC), which is currently being held in Toronto, Canada. The company is also promoting the system at the annual meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC), being held concurrently in Wurzburg, Germany.

The Intracs®em electromagnetic navigation system is simple to set up, very user-friendly, and seamlessly integrates into the joimax® endoscopic tower. It allows for navigation during any endoscopic procedure performed with the joimax® endoscopic surgical systems, TESSYS® (transforaminal) and iLESSYS® (interlaminar). Beyond that, it can serve as a stand-alone device.

The system relies on electromagnetic tracking, affording simultaneous navigation of multiple instruments such as needles, guiding rods, reamers and endoscopes. It was developed by joimax®  for easy planning of endoscopic approaches to the spine, as well as other minimally invasive procedures, like percutaneous fusions.

Various Intracs®em sensors guarantee the highest accuracy. Plus, for the patients’ benefit, the procedure can be carried out without further X-ray control –  only starting X-rays are required. As a result, access, intervention time, and radiation exposure, are reduced to a minimum.

The system is CE-Marked. Currently, clinical trials and applications are running in Europe and Asia, where the product has already launched. In specific Asian countries, like Taiwan, the first systems have been sold and shipped.

Users are very impressed with the usability of the system. “I didn’t expect that navigation for both transforaminal and interlaminar procedures can be made so easy and that the set-up time can be so much streamlined,“ states Prof. Michael Kraus, spine specialist in Augsburg, Germany.  “And for the thoracic approach, it is so precise and a tremendous help,” continues Dr. Erik Traupe, spine specialist in Munich, Germany.

The Intracs®em electromagnetic navigation system is simple to set up, very user-friendly, and seamlessly integrates into the joimax® endoscopic tower. It allows for navigation during any endoscopic procedure performed with the joimax® endoscopic surgical systems, TESSYS® (transforaminal) and iLESSYS® (interlaminar). Beyond that, it can serve as a stand-alone device.

The launch of Intracs®em is a key milestone for joimax®. As part of its global strategy, joimax®  is providing surgeons, worldwide, with the devices they need for safe, easy and gentle spinal therapies, with US-FDA submission planned for Q2, 2019. “We are committed to overcoming any obstacles and concerns related to minimally invasive, endoscopic spine surgery,” states joimax® CEO and Founder Wolfgang Ries. “Our success lies with our innovative, user-friendly devices and instruments, and our ability to provide both doctor and patient with outstanding safety built into our systems.” Moreover, a well established and targeted clinical training program for the spinal surgical community, named CM3, rounds out the joimax® educational offering. Earlier this year, joimax® launched ESPINEA®, an Endoscopic Spine Academy focused on a complete endoscopic spine curriculum. Designed as a full training program to elevate surgeons to the next level of expertise, ESPINEA® offers professional and high-quality education for endoscopic spine treatment specialists, worldwide. The ESPINEA® Training and Education Centers are located in Karlsruhe, Germany in the newly opened joimax® building, and in Irvine, CA, where joimax® opened new labs and training rooms last November.

Virtual Global Symposium on Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Highlights Livestream Training Benefits

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe, Germany — The Global Symposium of the ESPINEA® Academy in Karlsruhe, sponsored by joimax®, showcased how modern, advanced training for surgeons works. Earlier this month, over four days, more than 300 participants from around the world learned about the latest endoscopic surgical methods for spinal diseases. Via live demonstrations, twelve world-renowned spinal surgeons presented case studies, gave tips and tricks, and allowed people to look over their shoulders at endoscopic videos while operating on cadavers. The livestream made it possible for participating surgeons to understand exactly how endoscopic operations are carried out.

“You can only get closer if you do it yourself,” said one participant.

joimax global symposium 2021

Endoscopic spinal surgery is developing into the gold standard for back problems that need surgery,” said Wolfgang Ries, the academy’s founder and chairman. “A large number of studies show it is superior to conventional methods of open spine surgery. Unfortunately, this technique is still not taught in most training centers around the world”.

ESPINEA® fills this gap with an extensive training program. Webinar formats are unavoidable in the Coronavirus period. With today’s livestream technologies, ESPINEA® was able to provide real-time, interactive surgical training, zooming in on how its surgical instruments can be used successfully.

“The participants’ enthusiasm is confirmation that we need to further develop online trainings,” said Ries. “While virtual events cannot replace face-to-face instruction — after all, it’s learning by doing — they provide an excellent alternative”.

ESPINEA® Academy was founded by joimax® in February 2019. A month later, joimax® CEO and Founder Wolfgang Ries held its first faculty and user meeting at the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg. Since then, ESPINEA® has been accredited by the oldest surgical college in the world, the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh. Participants at events such as the Global Symposium can earn medical training credits for Continuing Professional Development (CPD points). Points can be applied to medical license renewals.

Underscoring the importance of virtual learning, three ESPINEA® board members chaired the symposium: Menno Iprenburg from Iprenburg Spine Clinic in Veenhuizen, Netherlands; Sang-Ho Lee, president of Wooridul Spine Hospital, Korea; and J. N. Alistair Gibson, Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. The participants concluded, “It was worth taking part just to hear these luminaries in person. But the best part was the opportunity to see the operation as if you were performing it yourself.”

joimax® turns 15 years

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe, Germany and Chicago, Illinois (April 30, 2016) – joimax®, the global acting German developer and marketer of technologies and treatment methods for minimally invasive endoscopic spinal surgery, is celebrating its 15th anniversary worldwide in 2016 starting at AANS in Chicago combined with a joimax® Senior Faculty Meeting. The aim of this meeting is to share experience, deepen expertise, specifically in reference to the newest joimax® products and applications as well as to refine the specific surgical techniques. Key topics will be centered around endoscopic treatment of degenerative spine diseases.

“When I started with the TESSYS® system in 2006 I was wondering at which patient indications this system could be applied”, says Daniel Laich, DO at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Il.
“Now we are doing all kind of special stenotic cases and even thoracic disc, or even tumor treatments”, continues Albert Telfeian, MD, PhD at the Hasbro Hospital of The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Rhode Island.
“With the iLESSYS® Delta System I can even do an over-the-top decompression in a central stenotic patient and with the EndoLIF® method I do an endoscopic assisted stabilization if indicated” finishes Ralf Wagner, MD from the Ligamenta Spine Center in Frankfurt, Germany.

joimax®, entirely focused on treatment technologies for endoscopic minimally-invasive spinal surgery, over the years launched more than 10 different indication driven systems providing a company growth rate of over 35% per annum. To date more than 180.000 patients had been treated in over 40 countries with the various methods, based on more than 140 patents and trademarks issued globally. “The major company growth and market evolutional steps are further out in front of the companies’ future, based on solid ground with broad market adoption starting just now”, states Wolfgang Ries, CEO and founder of joimax®.

joimax® Celebrates 25 Years of Advancing Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe, Germany — [April 2026] — joimax®, Inc., a global leader in technologies and training for endoscopic spine surgery, proudly marks its 25th anniversary, celebrating a quarter century of innovation dedicated to advancing minimally invasive spine care and improving outcomes for patients worldwide.

The origins of joimax® trace back to early 2001, when Wolfgang Ries, Founder and Executive Chairman, first introduced the company concept in a presentation to potential partners and investors and developed the initial business plan later that year. Although the investment environment changed significantly following the events of September 11, 2001, joimax® was founded shortly afterward through strong personal commitment and a clear belief in the future of endoscopic spine surgery.

Despite the uncertainty at the time, we remained convinced of the potential of endoscopic techniques to transform spine surgery,” said Wolfgang Ries. “With a clear vision and strong dedication, we established joimax® near Karlsruhe and began partnering with surgeons to develop technologies designed to challenge conventional surgical approaches and support surgeons in delivering less invasive treatment options for patients. Seeing how both the field and the company have progressed over the past 25 years is extremely rewarding.

Mr. Wolfgang Ries
Founder and Executive Chairman of joimax® 
Wolfgang Ries Founder & Executive Chairman of joimax ; minimally invasive spine surgery ; Joimax ; endoscopy

Today, joimax® solutions support surgeons across the globe with comprehensive platforms designed for a wide range of endoscopic spinal procedures. Through its commitment to education and training, the company has helped thousands of surgeons develop and refine endoscopic techniques, contributing to the growing global momentum behind minimally invasive spine surgery.

Reaching this 25-year milestone is a testament to the dedication of our employees, the trust of our surgeon partners, and the shared vision that endoscopic techniques can transform spine care,” said Maximillian Ries, CEO of joimax®. “As we celebrate this milestone, we are equally focused on the future. The next chapter for joimax® will build on our legacy of continued innovation, deeper collaboration with surgeons, and a commitment to expanding access to endoscopic spine surgery around the world.

Mr. Maximilian Ries
CEO of joimax® 
Picture of the CEO of Joimax ; Minimally invasive spine surgery ; endoscopy ; Joimax ; Maximilian Ries

For more information about joimax® and its 25-year legacy of endoscopic innovation, visit joimax.com/en/about-us.

joimax® starts the official sale of its EndoLIF® Delta and DoubleWedge cages. All three members of EndoLIF® family CE approved.

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe, GER– July 15, 2019 –joimax®, the Germany-based market leader of technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic minimally-invasive spinal surgery, announces the official sales launch of its complete EndoLIF® family. EndoLIF® is an instrument set for endoscopic-assisted minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion. As already announced and showcased at earlier events, the EndoLIF® product line consists of three members now: the well-known EndoLIF® O/On-Cage, the EndoLIF® Delta Cage, and the latest EndoLIF® Double Wedge Cage. The complete EndoLIF® product family is now CE-approved and fully available. Moreover, the EndoLIF® O/On-Cage is FDA-approved.

All EndoLIF® Implants are manufactured using a 3D printing process, which ensures an open diamond cell structure. The cages are safely implanted via the guide wire and are fillable with bone or bone substitute material. With their rough and porous surface, the implants guarantee optimal bone ingrowth, stability and finally fusion.

The EndoLIF® Cage family provides the right implant for every patient and is the perfect solution for endoscopic spinal fusion. With the gentle and atraumatic access via gradual tissue dilatation, muscles remain intact leaving important biomechanical structures in place after surgery.

Like with any endoscopic procedure compared to open surgery, all advantages for fusion are now given with the EndoLIF® program also. With one EndoLIF® Instrument Set all three cages of the EndoLIF® family can be implemented.

Endoscopic spine surgery, spinal stabilization, endolif, endoscopic device, full endoscopic, systems for stabilization

Dr. Florian Zentz, (Munich, GER) emphasizes “the extraordinarily high primary stability of the EndoLIF® DoubleWedge-Cage”. He continues enthusiastically: “After insertion the cage sits very firmly in the intervertebral disc space and adjusts the angulation up to 18 degrees, almost directly enabling an optimal lordosis correction.”

Dr. Ralf Wagner, (Frankfurt, GER) is also convinced of the obvious advantages: “The Delta Cage is ideal for the posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) offering a gentle posterior alternative, especially at level L5-S1 with its large interlaminar window.

joimax® Celebrates 20th Anniversary, Expands Education Program

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe (GER) — Founded 2001 in Germany, joimax®, the leading manufacturer of medical devices for endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. In tandem with this milestone, the company expanded their educational program, ESPINEA®, furthering their global reach.

Despite COVID-19, ESPINEA® (Endoscopic Spine Academy) training programs, which are held in cooperation with the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh (RCSEd) and joimax®, were conducted all over the world in 2020, and continue to roll out in 2021. Due to travel restrictions, the programs were adapted to webinars, and remote support and training, totaling 60 sessions last year. By pivoting to online learning, approximately 3000 surgeons were reached in 2020, and 700 surgeons so far in 2021. ESPINEA® was founded by joimax® CEO and Founder Wolfgang Ries in 2019, and was accredited by the RCSEd last year. 

“Our goal is to be globally present online, as well as to provide direct local support,” says Ries. “Regardless of lockdowns in many countries, under the ESPINEA® platform, more than 120 surgeons were trained in onsite workshops this quarter, with 70 in the USA and Mexico, 35 in Europe, 15 in Asia, and many more through the joimax® CME-program partnership in China.

ESPINEA® Board Member Alastair Gibson, FRCSEd states: “These efforts demonstrate that joimax® and ESPINEA® can achieve anything together. I’m proud to be part of this impressive blend of online, on-site, and remote events, enabling a strong ESPINEA® community.”

joimax global expansion during covid 19

To support the roll out, additional Coronavirus-compliant labs were integrated into the local, onsite education programs. In addition to the company’s existing labs in Karlsruhe and Irvine, California, more labs throughout the USA, including Houston, Minneapolis, New York City, Dallas, and Indianapolis, as well as the Surgical Skills Lab in Mexico City and ORSI Academy in Melle, Belgium, have been added.  Also, joimax® opened a branch office in Singapore; the Hong Kong office was opened in spring 2019.

“It is becoming increasingly important to have a personal, on-site presence in order to teach globally-valid learning content,” adds Ries. 

Eurospine 2016: joimax® launches its new MultiZYTE® SI-Joint Endoscopic Therapy Set and its new Intracs® Intraoperative Navigation Tracking & Control System

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe – October 05, 2016 – joimax®, the global acting German developer and marketer of technologies and training methods for endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery, will again exhibit at Eurospine 2016 taking place from October 5 – 7 in Berlin. During the conference, joimax®will launch two new products – the MultiZYTE® SI Endoscopic Sacroiliac Joint Therapy Set and its new Intracs® Intraoperative Navigation Tracking & Control System.

MultiZYTE® SI Endoscopic Sacroiliac Joint Therapy is developed for the treatment of the Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome (SIJS), which has been rediscovered as a major back pain generator in recent years. This kind of pain is commonly felt in the lower back, the gluteal region, the hip and thigh and can even radiate into the leg and foot. Until the 1930s, SI-Joint was the main reason for low back pain, but since 1934 the focus has been on disc herniation. According to recent studies 15 to 25% of all low back pain is caused by the SI-Joint and up to 43% in patients having undergone lumbosacral fusion. MultiZYTE® SI joimax® now offers a well developed and lasting treatment option for this disease.

The Intracs® Intraoperative Navigation Tracking & Control System was developed in cooperation between joimax® GmbH Karlsruhe and fiagon GmbH in Berlin, both located in Germany. With the Intracs® system, joimax® instruments can be navigated directly at the tip using Fiagons “chip at the tip” technology which allows tracking of instruments with a diameter in the 1mm range. The Intracs ® Navigation and Monitor Unit is integrated in the joimax® Endoscopic Tower and all necessary tools are tailored for the TESSYS® (transforaminal) and iLESSYS® (interlaminar) procedures as well as for minimally invasive stabilization procedures, like EndoLIF® and Percusys®. The main features of the Intracs® system are needle navigation through Vector-Tip-Target processing tools, the merging of 2D X-Rays with 3D- images of a patient’s CT or MRI scans, and the constant orientation control of any endoscope used in joimax procedures.

“With these two new developments we are in the position to enhance our endoscopic minimally-invasive product portfolio, driving adoption rates to meet new heights. With the world unique Intracs® system, navigation is now faster, safer and more accurate than ever before using an electromagnetic (EM) field. Radiation exposure for both, patients and surgeons will be significantly reduced,” says Wolfgang Ries, CEO and founder of joimax®. “Additionally the learning curve for all spinal endoscopic procedures offered by joimax® will now be significantly reduced and the rapid expansion of all these techniques is now well layed-out,” he continues.