AmnioTek-C Vision

Ophthalmic instrument distributor Medix21 has introduced two new AmnioTek products to New Zealand and is poised to introduce a third.

The three new processed human amniotic membrane (AM) products represent the latest regenerative biologics technology for treating the ocular surface, said Camille Furnandiz, Medix 21 Surgical New Zealand sales manager.

• AmnioTek 2 is twice as thick (100μm vs 50μm) as the standard AmnioTek product, making the graft much easier to suture, explained Jay Tardugno, managing director of ISP Surgical, which specialises in distributing regenerative AM grafts. “The handling is much better as it is thicker. It is also more resilient and will stay around the wound area much longer to promote re-epithelialization of the surrounding conjunctiva. The perfect thickness for a scaffolding graft-tissue substitute.”

• AmnioTek-G is semi-transparent and three times as thick (150μm) and was developed specifically to cover different types of glaucoma drainage devices. It reduces surgical times because it does not require rehydration and is easy to handle compared with alternative products, said Tardugno.

• AmnioTek-C Vision incorporates a hole for the pupil, so vision is not affected while the graft is on the eye, he said. “Our New AmnioTek-C Vision product is also 100μm so it can treat a wide variety of corneal wounds, specifically the stubborn, non-healing PEDs (persistent corneal epithelial defects) and deep neurotrophic ulcers.”

AM grafts’ low immunogenicity, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antifibrotic properties have created increasing interest over the past 15 years and have been described as a “profound game changer,” by renowned cornea specialist Dr Ken Kenyon, associate clinical professor at Harvard Medical School and originator of the conjunctival autograph surgical procedure. “Used as a conjunctival substitute in pterygium surgery, a bio-therapeutic bandage to promote regenerative healing of corneal ulcerations, treating severe dry eye and scleral reinforcement for glaucoma tube shunt surgery, amnion has remarkably advanced the ocular surface therapy repertoire to enhance both wound healing as well as structural support.”

Delivered 100% sterile with a three-year shelf life, AmnioTek’s AM products can be stored at room temperature. AmnioTek 2 and G are now available in New Zealand and AmnioTek-C Vision will be available before the end of this year, said Furnandiz.