MicroLink™ ASBNR BB-ALL-SUTURE BUTTON

Condition: New
Part #: ASBNR BB

$652.50

SKU: ASBNR BB Categories: ,
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Description

The MicroLink™ ASBNR BB All-Suture Button represents a significant advancement in orthopedic hand surgery, specifically designed for Carpometacarpal (CMC) suspensionplasty. This low-profile, metal-free implant offers a sophisticated alternative to traditional bulky hardware, providing surgeons with a stable, anatomical repair for thumb basal joint arthritis.

By utilizing a soft, all-suture construct, the MicroLink™ system prioritizes patient comfort while maintaining the structural integrity required for post-trapeziectomy stabilization. Its design ensures the implant conforms naturally to the bone curvature, reducing the risk of postoperative irritation common with metallic alternatives.

Core Technology: All-Suture Construct

The MicroLink™ technology shifts away from rigid metallic plates and buttons toward a high-strength, radiopaque suture material. This all-suture button design provides a “soft” fixation that minimizes bone removal and preserves the native anatomy. Unlike stainless steel or titanium implants, the MicroLink™ is metal-free, eliminating imaging artifacts and allowing for crystal-clear fluoroscopic visualization during and after the procedure.

Mechanism of Action

The MicroLink™ system functions by creating a stable suspension bridge between the thumb metacarpal and the surrounding carpal bones (typically following a trapeziectomy).

  1. Fixation: The all-suture button anchors against the cortex of the bone, conforming to its natural shape.

  2. Suspension: High-tensile suture material suspends the metacarpal, preventing proximal migration and collapse of the joint space.

  3. Integration: The soft nature of the construct allows for micro-motion that mimics natural joint mechanics while encouraging stable fibrous healing.

Applications and Clinical Uses

The MicroLink™ ASBNR BB is specifically engineered for hand and upper extremity surgeons treating:

  • Thumb Basal Joint Arthritis: Advanced osteoarthritis of the first CMC joint.

  • CMC Suspensionplasty: Following a partial or complete trapeziectomy.

  • Revision Hand Surgery: Where previous metallic hardware has caused irritation or failed.

  • Alternative to LRTI: Providing a more reproducible and efficient stable repair compared to traditional Ligament Reconstruction Tendon Interposition.

Key Advantages

  • Minimal Patient Irritation: The ultra-low-profile suture design significantly reduces the palpable “hardware feel” and soft tissue irritation associated with metal buttons.

  • Artifact-Free Imaging: Being metal-free, the implant does not obscure bone detail on X-ray or CT, ensuring accurate postoperative assessment.

  • Preservation of Bone Stock: The system requires smaller drill tunnels, preserving more of the patient’s native bone compared to larger metallic anchors.

  • Procedural Efficiency: The specialized instrumentation kit allows for a reproducible technique that streamlines the surgical workflow.

The MicroLink™ Precision Toolkit

To ensure accuracy and speed, the system includes a dedicated instrument set designed for one-step efficiency:

  • Trapezium Pin: Features power compatibility and laser-etched depth markings for foolproof drilling.

  • McGlamry Elevator: Designed with beveled edges to facilitate effortless soft tissue removal and joint preparation.

  • Suture Passing Drill: Features a unique “coined tip” that enables the surgeon to drill the tunnel and pass the suture in a single motion.

  • CMC Drill Guide: Provides dual visualization to ensure precise, centered tunnel placement every time.

Technical Specifications

Feature MicroLink™ ASBNR BB Specification
Implant Type All-Suture Button (Soft Construct)
Material High-strength, radiopaque suture (Metal-Free)
Profile Ultra-low, anatomical conformation
Instrumentation Trapezium Pin, McGlamry Elevator, Suture Passing Drill
Visibility Radiopaque under fluoroscopy; no metal artifacts
Indication CMC Suspensionplasty / Thumb Basal Joint Arthritis

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the MicroLink™ All-Suture Button improve patient comfort compared to metal buttons?

Traditional metallic buttons are rigid and bulky, often leading to palpable hardware or tendon irritation. The MicroLink™ uses a soft suture construct that conforms to the bone’s natural curvature. This ultra-low-profile design minimizes the foreign body sensation and reduces the likelihood of postoperative soft tissue inflammation or irritation.

Is the MicroLink™ implant visible on X-ray if it is metal-free?

Yes. Although the MicroLink™ is metal-free to avoid imaging artifacts and “washout,” the suture material is engineered to be radiopaque. This allows surgeons to achieve optimal fluoroscopic visualization during the procedure and clear confirmation of implant positioning on postoperative radiographs without the distortion caused by metal.

What makes the MicroLink™ surgical technique more efficient?

The system features a Suture Passing Drill with a “coined tip,” which allows surgeons to drill the bone tunnel and pass the suture simultaneously. Combined with a Trapezium Pin that has laser-etched depth markings, the system reduces the number of surgical steps, potentially shortening the overall operative time.

Can this system be used in patients with metal sensitivities?

Absolutely. Because the MicroLink™ ASBNR BB is a metal-free construct, it is an ideal solution for patients with known sensitivities or allergies to nickel, titanium, or stainless steel. This removes the risk of localized allergic reactions and the potential need for future hardware removal surgeries.

How does the CMC Drill Guide ensure precision during suspensionplasty?

The CMC Drill Guide is designed with dual-visualization windows, allowing the surgeon to see the entry and exit trajectory clearly. This ensures that the tunnel is placed centrally within the bone, maximizing the strength of the repair and ensuring the suture button sits flush against the cortex.

Does the MicroLink™ require significant bone removal?

No. One of the primary benefits of the MicroLink™ system is its “bone-sparing” design. Because it utilizes high-strength sutures and a streamlined passing drill, the required tunnels are smaller than those needed for traditional anchors or larger metallic button systems, preserving the patient’s native bone stock.

Listing Terms & Conditions

We ship worldwide, please inquire the shipping rate to your country before placing an order.

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Due to worldwide shipping delays, it is possible that items listed could be on backorder. If the item is unavailable for an extended period, we sincerely apologize for the delay. In this case, we will refund you as soon as we are notified of the backorder and contact you with the confirmation of refund.