Dr. Samir Sharma Considers Value of Patents in Orthopedic Field
Online, July 12, 2012 (Newswire.com) - According to a recent article from Wall Street Journal the innovative team at KFx Medical Corporation was granted a Notice of Allowance for its pending patent on its rotator cuff repair development. The procedure, "noted as knotless double row rotator cuff repair," comes from a litigation battle with medical development company, Arthrex, Inc. Despite its focus on the rotator cuff and involvement with patent law, Dr. Samir Sharma, a respected orthopedic specialist in California, notes that these developments are essential to the advancement of the orthopedic field.
In the article, KFx president and CEO, Tate Scott comments on the allowance, "This will bring KFx's total to four patents directed to knotless double row rotator cuff repairs. We look forward to trial in 2013 to vindicate our rights in the proprietary knotless double row repair methods that Arthrex continues to promote in violation of our patents." The conflict between KFx and Arthrex may seem counterproductive, but according to Dr. Sharma, these tensions only indicate growth in orthopedics. The doctor notes that patent litigation indicates a wider interest in medical studies. This interest is particularly significant for orthopedic professionals; it means that the corporate world is taking this field of medicine more seriously, which could lead to advanced care for patients in the near future.
The KFx product line, referred to as the "AppianFx line of implants" in the article, has provided over one million patients with advanced care in surgical procedures. The offer advanced reattachment of bone and tissue in shoulder, knee, foot and ankle procedures that is secure and does not involve suture placement. Such developments are significant to orthopedics such as Dr. Samir Sharma who believes that they show an essential progression of medical treatments.
On the specific matter of double rotator cuff repair procedures, Sharma reveals that treatment progress has come a long way, but still needs further research. "There are a lot of exciting developments in double row rotator cuff repairs. Double rotator cuff repairs are mechanically stronger than single row repairs however this has not translated into better clinical outcomes."
The South Bay orthopedic specialist hopes that these patent developments can further such clinical trials and perhaps bring these innovations to a higher level. While patent law can seem like a deterrent to medical advancements, it is a necessarily evil. The doctor concludes, noting that legal battles over patents show that multiple parties are interested in the technology, because it actually has promising results.
ABOUT:
Dr. Samir Sharma is an orthopedic specialist at South Bay Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, located in the state of California. Dr. Sharma earned his degrees at the University of Miami and Wayne State University School of Medicine and, since graduating, has spent the last decade providing orthopedic care to his patients. Dr. Samir Sharma is particularly interested in orthopedic cases pertaining to the knee, elbow, and shoulder.