Zimmer receives FDA approval to market new mobile bearing knee prosthesis

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The approval brings only the second mobile bearing TKA device to the United States market.

1st on the web (December 12, 2007)
December 2007

WARSAW, Ind.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Zimmer's premarket approval application for its NexGen LPS-Flex Mobile Knee, the company announced in a press release.

The NexGen LPS-Flex Mobile Knee prosthesis features a polyethylene articulating surface that allows for slight rotation in concert with the patient's natural movement. When used with Zimmer's LPS-Flex femoral component, the device is designed to safely accommodate active deep flexion of up to 155? in patients who are capable of such flexion, the release said.

The NexGen LPS-Flex Mobile Knee prosthesis can be used in minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures and is compatible with the company's Minimally Invasive Solutions Systems and Technologies knee replacement instrumentation, the release said.

"A number of orthopedic surgeons prefer mobile bearing designs and we are pleased to be one of only two companies that can offer this treatment option in the U.S.," said Sheryl Conley, Zimmer Chief Marketing Officer, in the release.

"Since its launch in Europe in 1999, this product has been well-received in Australia and Japan, as well as in Europe. We look forward to being able to provide the mobile bearing option to surgeons here in the United States where the majority of the world's knee replacement procedures are performed," she said.

Zimmer expects to begin releasing the device on a limited basis in January, with general availability in the U.S. by the middle of 2008, the release said.

For more information:

Zimmer, Web site: www.zimmer.com