MEMPHIS, Tenn. March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Nephew (NYSE: SNN; LSE: SN) Orthopaedics Division today announces the introduction of the TRIGEN(TM) SURESHOT(TM) Distal Targeting System, a small, portable device that can eliminate a significant amount of radiation exposure over the course of the career of an orthopaedic trauma surgeon. The 3-D imaging system replaces the radiation-emitting, fluoroscopic "c-arm," traditionally used during tibial and femoral nail cases to achieve proper distal screw placement.

"We've achieved a real breakthrough with the TRIGEN SURESHOT device," says Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics President Joseph M. DeVivo. "Not only does it eliminate a considerable amount of radiation exposure for the orthopedist, as well as the O.R. staff, but it can contribute to a safer, faster, and more accurate procedure for patients. While successful patient outcomes are paramount, the safety of surgeons and nurses matters, too."

A recent study(1) quantified the impact the TRIGEN SURESHOT has on both radiation levels and case length. It was shown to eliminate 36 seconds of fluoroscopy exposure (0.785 radiation absorbed doses, or rads) during tibial fracture cases and 49 seconds during femoral fracture cases (2.362 rads). For an orthopaedic trauma surgeon who performs one intramedullary nail case per week, this equals more than 6 hours of radiation eliminated over the course of 10 years. As the risk of death from cancer increases 3-percent for every rad of exposure during one's lifetime(2), this typical surgeon would be spared from 810 rads of total radiation exposure.

In the same recent study, the degree of precision TRIGEN SURESHOT delivered contributed to a first-time drilling accuracy rate of 100-percent in tibia cases and 96-percent in femoral cases. This consistency reduced distal locking time by 48-percent during tibial nail cases and by 32-percent during femoral nail cases, resulting in less anesthesia and risk of infection for the patients.

Additionally, because the TRIGEN SURESHOT is a small, portable device, the patient's leg does not require repositioning in order to achieve continuous visualization. This is a common requirement during fluoroscopic c-arm use and it can lead to fracture misalignment and the need to re-reduce the patient's fracture.

The TRIGEN SURESHOT works seamlessly with the TRIGEN META-NAIL(TM) system, part of the TRIGEN nail family--the versatile, fracture-specific nail system with a 10-year clinical history of proven results.

(1) Tornetta P, Patel P, Tseng S, Whitten A, Ricci W. Distal locking using an electromagnetic field guided computer based real time system. Poster presented at: Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association; October 8-10, 2009; San Diego, CA. Results based on a single-center cadaver study of 24 tibial and 24 femoral procedures.

(2) Ashmore JP, Krewski D, Zielinski JM, Jiang H, Semenciw R, Band PR. First analysis of mortality and occupational radiation exposure based on the National Dose Registry of Canada. Am J Epidemiol. 1998;148(6):564-574.

About Us

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in Orthopaedics, including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies; Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in 32 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2009 were nearly $3.8 billion.

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SOURCE Smith & Nephew