Chennai - The Chennai-based TTK Healthcare Limited, part of the Rs.1500 crore TTK Group has ambitious plans to manufacture and market Orthopaedic implants under the brand name "Altius" with American collaboration. To consolidate its presence in the Medical Devices segment, TTK Healthcare recently acquired a company in Ortho Business.

Addressing the media Mr. T. T. Raghunathan, Group Vice Chairman said, "TTK Healthcare has ambitious plans to manufacture and market various Orthopaedic implants including the Total Knee Replacement System. TTK's Ortho Division uses state-of-the-art software for 3D modeling of complicated profiles and for accurate generation of articulating surfaces of knee implants. In fact, this is the only knee surgical implant manufactured in India with a US FDA cleared design."

TTK Healthcare is already present in the Medical Devices segment through its TTK Chitra Heart Valves. The technology originally developed by Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum was successfully commercialized by TTK Heatlhcare and so far around 45,000 Heart Valves have been implanted.

According to Mr. K. Vaidyanathan, Executive Director, TTK Healthcare, " TTK's Ortho Division has a technical collaboration with M/s B P Trust, USA which is controlled by Dr. Frederick F Buechel, the world renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon and Dr. Michael J Pappas who is an internationally recognized expert in advanced design. "

Mr. Vaidyanathan, further added, " With the younger generation getting prone to arthritis and rising number of road accidents, there is an increase in the number of patients requiring knee replacements. In India, the concept of Knee and Hip replacement is gaining momentum and with new technology and latest implants, the longevity factor is bound to get many more patients to try this and live a normal life."

These implants are a result of over 25 years of development, clinical investigation and use. The licensed third generation knee currently manufactured and marketed by TTK Healthcare is a refinement of the two earlier versions designed by Dr Beuchel and Dr Pappas.

TTK "Altius" Hi-flex knee is superior in terms of its better congruence, longevity, etc. Explaining the salient features Dr. Frederick F Buechel and Dr. Michael J Pappas said that the third generation New Jersey Knee is the best product available in the market today. The features which make this New Jersey Knee special are :

• Easy to implant
• Hi flexion angle - designed for 162 degrees
• No dislocation
• Lowest Contact Stress
• Maximum Product Life
• Finest congruence
• Optimum flexion and extension with long life.
• Axial rotation of + / - 45 degree is sufficient to take care of normal activity

The Company has also plans to take up the development of hip, ankle and shoulder replacements in a phased manner.