Category: joimax® News

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-TEC-Building

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-TEC-Building

“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

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® 

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.