Category: joimax® News

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

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

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® obtains registration for all products in the Indian market

Posted on by christine.stump@joimax.com

KARLSRUHE, Germany – (BUSINESS WIRE) – German-based joimax®, the market leader in technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, is excited to announce the full registration of all its products for India, one of the fastest growing endoscopic spine surgery markets worldwide.

The Indian registration includes all joimax® Class II and III, as well as Class I instruments, which were approved in 2023. Now, the Indian health community has access to all the latest spinal endoscopic technologies invented, developed and manufactured by joimax®.

“India is the biggest country in the world; it’s ready for emerging technology businesses like endoscopic spinal surgery,” states Santhosh Mechery, Director Spectramed Healthcare (P) Ltd. “We can’t wait to roll-out the complete joimax® portfolio in our country and enable so many patients to profit from this innovative, minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery.”

“Earlier this year, joimax® received its CE MDR approvals, granted by TÜV-South — an important step for marketing our existing products under the new European regulation, which opened a backlog of products to India,” states joimax® Founder and CEO Wolfgang Ries. “We’re already active in more than 60 countries! These partners are eager to launch the newest joimax® treatment technologies.”

In Fall 2022, joimax®, in cooperation with Spectramed Healthcare, launched its education and training program, Endoscopic Spine Academy (ESPINEA®), in India, which has since been rolled out worldwide. ESPINEA® was founded in 2019, accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2020, and this year, is celebrating its 5th anniversary. The program allows for the highest quality training of joimax® products in any market, serving as a hands-on learning facility for endoscopic spinal surgery.

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

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

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.

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

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

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.

FDA Approval , joimax endoscopic navigation system Intracs em

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.