Description

From Which Medical Device

The Non-Invasive Juvenile Tumour System from Stanmore implants Worldwide is a customised massive endoprosthesis system for use in children after major long bone resection, first used in 2002. The device comprises two sliding segments, within which is a motor with an epicyclic gearbox which is activated by placing the limb into an electromagnetic coil. The gearbox produces an overall speed reduction of 13061:1 and an output torque of 4Nm to drive the screw, which in turn generates an axial force of up to 1350N. Lengthening occurs at 0.23mm per minute, and the mechanism can be heard with a stethoscope.  The design means that the motor can be reversed and the implant shortened, and the degree of lengthening is highly controllable. The device comes in three lengthening options; 50, 70 or 90mm depending on the length of the segment to be resected. The dimensions of the lengthening mechanism are such that it is not suitable for all patients, particularly the very young. In the distal femur (the commonest site), the tibial component is typically a sliding one which crosses the tibial physis. Although this still allows tibial physeal growth, it is often less than normal and so the distal femoral implant would be required to compensate for this. Lengthening implants tend to be used when the predicted leg length discrepancy is more than 3cm.

Early results are favourable (Gupta 2006, Gokaraju 2009). Seven year results in 34 children from Hwang et al demonstrated lengthening complications in two: one failed mechanism and one with scar tissue. There was deep infection in six patients (18%). Patients in this series typically had lengthening when leg length discrepancy was 1cm or so, and underwent around 5mm (20 minutes) of lengthening in a single session. 

In the series of 55 children from Picardo et al, the mean lengthening was 38.6mm (3.5 to 161.5), nine patients requiring revision of the prosthesis because it had reached the maximum lengthening available. Six patients had infection (10.9%), one of whom underwent amputation as a result. 3 gearboxes failed at mean of 29.3 months (14 to 52), two after trampolining.

The mechanism has been used in a small number of patients with shortening after failed joint replacement surgery (Sewell 2009).
 
The device obtained FDA approval in June 2011.
 

 

References

Gupta A, Meswania J, Pollock R, Cannon SR, Briggs TW, Taylor S, Blunn G. Non-invasive distal femoral expandable endoprosthesis for limb-salvage surgery in paediatric tumours. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2006 May;88B (5):649-54

Gokaraju K, Miles J, Blunn GW, Pollock RC, Skinner JAM, Cannon SR, Briggs TWR. An update of the Stanmore experience with non-invasive expandable endoprosthesis in paediatric tumour surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2009. 93B (Supp 1): 75-6
 
Hwang N, Grimer RJ, Carter SR, Tillman R, Abudu A, Jeys LM. Early results of a non-invasive extendible prosthesis for limb-salvage surgery in children with bone tumours. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2012; 94-B: 265-9
 
Picardo NE, Blunn GW, Shekkeris AS, Meswania J, Aston WJ, Pollock RC, Skinner JA, Cannon SR, Briggs TW.The medium-term results of the Stanmore non-invasive extendible endoprosthesis in the treatment of paediatric bone tumoursJ Bone Joint Surg Br. 2012 Mar;94(3):425-30.
 
Sewell MD, Spiegelberg BG, Hanna SA, Aston WJ, Meswania JM, Blunn GW, Henry C, Cannon SR, Briggs TW. Non-invasive extendible endoprostheses for limb reconstruction in skeletally-mature patients. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2009. 91B (10): 1360-5
 
 
 
For related Pubmed citations click here.

 

This listing updated 29th April 2012

Have you used this device?

Your opinion matters to others - rate this device or add a comment

No Similar Devices

There are no currently similar devices - Click here to suggest a device

WhichMedicalDevice is a FREE resource created by clinicians for clinicians.

Registration is free and gives you unlimited access to all of the content and features of this website.

Find out more...

Please sign in to view this content...

I have forgotten my password
Not a Member?

Registration is free and gives you unlimited access to all of the content and features of Which Medical Device. Find out more...

Why Register

Which Medical Device is a community of clinicians sharing knowledge and experience of the devices and procedures we use on a daily basis. We ask that our members register with us so that we can maintain the unbiased and independent nature of our content. Registration is quick and free.

We do not make your details available to any third parties nor do we send unsolicited emails to our members. You can read our Privacy Policy here.