New partnership: joimax® joins forces with JAPAN MEDICALNEXT CO., LTD.

Karlsruhe (GER), 16 June 2020
 joimax®, the German-based market leader in technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, is starting as of now a new partnership in Japan. The distributor JMC- JAPAN MEDICALNEXT CO., LTD. and joimax® are pursuing a long-term sales cooperation that will result in an extensive distribution agreement for the entire Japanese market.

joimax® joins forces with JAPAN MEDICALNEXT CO., LTD.

joimax® is looking forward to working with a partner strong as JMC, says joimax® Founder and CEO Wolfgang Ries and adds, “a company that has the necessary personnel, expertise, as well as the corresponding specialization and penetration of the market”. Masayuki Yoshimura, President and CEO of JMC, explains, “We are very excited to partner with joimax®. With our shared vision for advancing the field of minimum invasive spinal surgery, we are looking forward to introducing the globally recognized joimax® products in Japan”. Thus, joimax® strengthens its sales activities in Japan and enters into another important partnership in Asia.

JAPAN MEDICALNEXT CO., LTD. founded in 1992 is located in Osaka, Japan. With 314 employees at its locations and an Orthopedics Division that will focus on joimax® products, the company is a wholly-owned entity of MC Healthcare, Inc. (subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation) and prominent supplier of medical devices in Japan.

joimax® STUDIES PUBLISHED IN WORLD NEUROSURGERY TESSYS® system proves to be surgical rescue solution for kyphoplasty complication and thoracic disc herniation.

Irvine, Germany, September 14th, 2016 – joimax®, the expert in endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery, is pleased to announce another publication on its technologies to be released in World Neurosurgery (2016). In the paper called “Transpedicular Lumbar Endoscopic Surgery for Highly Migrated Disc Extrusions, a preliminary series and surgical technique,” published by Krzok G et al, 21 patients underwent this procedure with the TESSYS® system. The paper follows two technical notes by Wagner R et al in which he shows joimax® techniques as surgical rescue solutions in a kyphoplasty complication and another one for the treatment of a thoracic disc herniation, all published in World Neurosurgery.

The first technical note mentioned above describes the case of a 72-year-old woman with a leakage of the kyphoplasty cement into the spinal canal (a described and known complication), where the joimax® technology was successfully used as a rescue solution to remove the cement and decompress the nerval structures preventing major surgery. The second technical note describes the transforaminal endoscopic foraminoplasty and discectomy for the treatment of a thoracic disc herniation. A 31-year-old woman with severe thoracic back pain over one year was successfully treated by using the transforaminal endoscopic approach so that open surgery was not needed.

Over the years a growing number of studies show the outstanding advantages of endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery, such as the prospective Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of Ruetten et al in 178 patients and by Hoogland et al in a study of 262 consecutive cases of transforaminal endoscopic spinal surgery. Both were published in Spine 2008, Vol. 33, Issue 9. Another retrospective evaluation with 195 patients of Jasper et al (Clinical Neurology & Neurosurgery 2013, Vol. 115, Issue 10) and a multi-centric MIS prospective registry published by Sclafani et al (IJSS 2015, Vol. 9, Art. 69) with 86 patients, also showed very encouraging results. Beyond that, a special edition in the Journal of Neurosurgery called Neurosurgical Focus, published by Gokaslan Z, Telfeian A and Wang M focused on Endoscopic Spine Surgery was released in February 2016 (JNS 2016, Vol. 40, No. 2).

“Working with Endoscopic Spine Surgery for more than 12 years (her performed already 2,400 Tessys® procedures in daysurgery in analgo-sedation) and seeing its evolution is just amazing and I wonder where we will be in five or ten years from now”, says Menno Iprenburg, MD from Veenhuizen, NL, who continues to be involved in many of these studies.

Albert Telfeian, MD, PhD from Brown University, RI is very happy about the actual hit rate on PubMed when searching for endoscopic spinal surgery, “To date we’ve received a rate of 2,730 papers on http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=endoscopic+spinal+surgery and I am really excited how many indications are treatable with endoscopy already today,” said Telfeian.

“Shortly another RCT study will be published by Gibson et al demonstrating the quality and great success rate of endoscopic spine treatments with a high adoption rate, especially in Asian countries, and in some countries where there is more than 50% growth per annum”, says Wolfgang Ries, founder and CEO of joimax®.

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

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® continues strong growth trend in 2017 with launch of its MultiZYTE® Facet and SI Joint treatment Set in the US and also obtains full approval of its Endovapor® 2 system in China

Karlsruhe, Germany – February 8, 2018 – the joimax® group announces very strong sales figures for 2017. The German based market leader of technologies and training methods for endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery shows a jump of almost 80% vs. 2016 in the U.S. Consolidated sales show a growth of nearly 30%, which reflects its CAGR of 35% since 2008.

“joimax® is in line with its top-line plans as well as with its EBIT growth projections”, states Rainer Schmitz, the long-standing CFO of the joimax® GmbH. “The company is now active in 50 countries and enjoys a strong reputation in Europe, Asia and the U.S.”

Based on the inclusion of the newly created AMA CPT code 62380 for endoscopic decompression of the lumbar spine as of January 1st, 2017, and the worldwide increasing adoption rate of the joimax® procedures in general, the company is gaining a strong foothold throughout the U.S.. The acceptance of endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and their benefits to both the patients and the surgeons are steadily growing worldwide.

The understanding and therapy of SI Joint is a rapidly growing new field worldwide. joimax® faces this growing area of unmet needs with its MultiZYTE® Facet and SI Joint Treatment Set in this market segment. The upcoming 3rd International Conference on Sacroiliac Joint Surgery (ICSJS), taking place in Tampa, FL from Feb. 21 to 24, 2018 gives attendees the opportunity to further enhance the level of understanding of the sacroiliac joint and to participate in a cadaver workshop at CAMLS learning center.

Further success in Asia is a result of the recent approval of the joimax® Endovapor® 2 Multi Radio Frequency System also in China, where joimax® has already been successfully in the market for 10 years.

“With this latest approval we now can market all our systems in this important country, which is a great step towards more targeted patient care” states Wolfgang Ries, Founder and CEO of joimax®.

The Endovapor® 2 generates electrical power for monopolar and bipolar cutting and coagulation of tissue structures in surgical operations. The device is an all-in-one generator with specially integrated programs for spinal surgery with interdisciplinary application. It is equipped with two monopolar and two bipolar sockets and an easy and intuitive touchpad technology.  With arc control for safe application and easy neutral electrode monitoring, it combines a variety of electro-surgical modes and effects.

joimax Endoscopic Tower

joimax® Signs National Distribution Partner in Taiwan

Karlsruhe (GER), 26 June 2020 – 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 countrywide distributor in Taiwan, Hi-Clearance Inc. With the aim of building an effective, long-term relationship, the strategic supplier partnership is a further milestone in the international growth of joimax® .

joimax® Signs National Distribution Partner in Taiwan

“Hi-Clearance is our ideal sales and service partner,” says joimax® CEO and Founder Mr. Wolfgang Ries. With their streamlined structure and process in place, we are confident joimax® will penetrate this new market very successfully”.

Hi-Clearance Inc. has over 239 employees, and is a well-known supplier of medical materials and equipment in Taiwan. “We are very pleased about the new strategic partnership and are excited to continue the strong growth of both companies,” states Hi-Clearance Chairman Mr. John Lee and President Mr. Ernie Chen. “We are dedicated to establishing joimax® as the leading brand of endoscopic spine surgery in Taiwan.”

Hi-Clearance Inc. is headquartered in Taipei with four other branches spread across the country. The main business includes products for Hemodialysis, Critical Care, Dental, Cardiology, Homecare Devices, Nutrition and a major Spine Surgery Division. In 2019, sales were USD 107 million.

JOIMAX® ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF FIRST ENDOSCOPIC AMA CPT CODE Company also releases newly designed joimax® homepage

Irvine, CA – September 26, 2016 – The AMA (American Medical Association) released the CPT 2017 Codebook (Current Procedural Terminology), now containing the first endoscopic spinal surgery code no. 62380. This new code covers endoscopic decompression of the spinal cord, nerve root(s), including laminotomy, partial facetectomy, foraminotomy, discectomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc, 1 interspace, lumbar, and will be enforced as of January 1st, 2017. Under this code the specific transforaminal (TESSYS®) and/or interlaminar (iLESSYS®) procedures are fully covered in the USA herewith, which are already marketed by joimax® in 45 countries.

“The definition of this new code in the CPT codebook 2017 is a major milestone towards the acceptance of endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and its benefits to both the surgeon and their patients,” states Wolfgang Ries, Founder and CEO of joimax®. Since 2012 joimax®  had been driving this effort to obtain CPT codes as these procedures required submission to payors for reimbursement coverage which was granted only in single cases under temporary codes, so-called T-codes.

“joimax® has been instrumental in driving the effort to obtain full code coverage of endoscopic spinal surgery,” says Daniel Laich, DO, Swedish Convenant Hospital, Chicago, who had been participating and presenting in almost every AMA meeting over the last five years. Due to the high research and publication activities by key users like Albert Telfeian, MD, PhD, at Rhode Island Hospital at Brown University, and a group of users around him, strong evidence has been accepted by AMA authorities, justifying the release of this new CPT code.

Many papers and publications on joimax® products can now be downloaded from the newly released joimax® homepage. The completely redesigned website offers visitors richer insight into the company’s innovative products and systems. A quick and easy access to essential information and features is available, including the latest workshop and education activities, which are essential in endoscopic minimally-invasive spinal surgery.

Meanwhile joimax® offers basic and advanced workshop training courses mainly in the USA, Germany and Austria, and oversees a participation population of almost 3,000 physicians. Independent training courses are also performed in China and Korea to support the fast growing Asian markets. Detailed information about those courses are updated regularly at www.joimax.com.

The website uses the latest technology so the site is compatible with today’s browsers and mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Visitors can also use the new website to stay informed with the latest company news. The new website goes live today and is located at the same address: https://www.joimax.com.

joimax® Celebrates 25 Years of Advancing Endoscopic Spine Surgery

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® Presents Its New Generation 4K Camera Light Source and Documentation Command System, Camsource® LED and Vitegra® at AAOS in New Orleans, LA

Karlsruhe, Germany – March 7th, 2018 – joimax®, the German based market leader of technologies and training methods for endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery presents its newest combined 4K resolution camera and LED light source system, Camsource® LED and its fully integrated documentation and command system, Vitegra® Docu and Command. Both systems are introduced for the first time at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), currently taking place in New Orleans, LA where joimax® is represented at booth no. 4020.

The Vitegra® Docu and Command system opens a new era of documentation, control and hospital integration. The device comes with numerous flexible control options including a wireless tablet PC, live video streaming and a live voice commenting option, in-surgery image and video review function, voice control capabilities and easy data export solutions. The Vitegra® offers with its command mode to control all other devices that are part of the joimax® endoscopic tower. An optimized monitoring of the endoscopic devices during the surgical procedures by live review and control of all important device parameters is also provided. An initial, limited market launch is planned for Q2/2018 within European and U.S. markets.

“Our new 4K LED Visualization Systems are the next important components of our steadily growing endoscopic product portfolio. These developments demonstrate our continued leading position in the fast-growing endoscopic spine surgery market worldwide,” states Wolfgang Ries, Founder and CEO of joimax®.

jomax Vitegra Docu and Command, Camsource LED

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.

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.

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

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.