Zimmer Biomet has recently secured two significant FDA clearances for its innovative knee implant technologies. These approvals include the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee and the Persona SoluTion Porous Plasma Spray (PPS) Femur, marking advancements in cementless fixation and offering alternatives for patients with specific sensitivities.
Oxford Cementless Partial Knee Approved
The Oxford Cementless Partial Knee received FDA Premarket Approval Application (PMA) supplement approval, heralding a new era in partial knee replacement (PKR) procedures. This cementless implant is designed to provide improved fixation, enhanced long-term implant survival, and greater efficiency in the operating room compared to traditional cemented PKR methods. The approval was supported by safety and effectiveness data derived from an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study and non-clinical testing.
With over 20 years of clinical experience and more than 300,000 procedures performed across Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee is now the only FDA-approved cementless partial knee implant available in the U.S. According to Zimmer Biomet, the system's tibial and femoral components feature a titanium and hydroxyapatite coating to promote bone growth into the implant.
Joe Urban, President, Knees at Zimmer Biomet, stated, "Cementless knee replacement procedures are increasingly preferred by surgeons seeking to improve surgical efficiency. The Oxford Cementless Partial Knee is coming into the U.S. with a proven track record of retaining more healthy anatomy with a less invasive approach and improved outcomes as compared to a total knee replacement."
Data from the UK national joint registry, encompassing over 33,000 patients treated with the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee, demonstrated a 94.1% implant survival rate at 10 years post-surgery. This figure surpasses the average 10-year survivorship of 89.9% for all other partial knees, underscoring the implant's potential for long-term durability.
Persona SoluTion PPS Femur Receives FDA Clearance
In a separate announcement, Zimmer Biomet also received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Persona SoluTion PPS Femur, a total knee implant component designed as an alternative for patients with sensitivities to bone cement and/or metal. This component features a porous coating for cementless fixation and incorporates a proprietary surface treatment to enhance wear performance.
The Persona SoluTion PPS Femur aims to address the challenges faced by patients with hypersensitivity to metals, particularly cobalt-chrome (Co-Cr-Mo) alloys commonly used in traditional cemented total knee replacements (TKR). Such hypersensitivities can lead to inflammatory responses, pain, and implant loosening, potentially necessitating revision TKR procedures.
The Persona SoluTion PPS Femur offers cementless fixation through its clinically proven PPS coating, which provides initial scratch fit stability and supports biologic fixation via bony ongrowth. When used in conjunction with the Persona OsseoTi tibia and Vivacit-E Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene (HXLPE), the total knee implant minimizes exposure to common metal sensitizers like nickel, cobalt, and chromium, which are likely to elicit an immune response. The implant is constructed from a proprietary Tivanium (Ti-6Al-4V) alloy with over 17 years of clinical use and treated with the Ti-Nidium Surface Hardening Process.
According to Dr. George Guild III, MD of Total Joint Specialists, "Hypersensitivities to bone cement or certain metals in implants are often not identified until after surgery when the patient reports pain and other signs of implant loosening. With the availability of this option, surgeons can proactively mitigate a potentially avoidable risk of implant failure."
Launch Plans
Both the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee and the Persona SoluTion PPS Femur are scheduled for commercial launch in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2025. Zimmer Biomet will provide FDA-required training on the cementless surgical technique and patient selection as part of the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee launch.
