Author: Antonio Berlen

First workshop with live operations on the endoscopic removal of disc herniations held in the ATOS Private Clinic, Munich

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe, 11th March 2009: On March 9th and 10th a joimax® workshop on the endoscopic removal of disc herniations using the TESSYS® method took place in the ATOS Private Clinic in Munich. For the first time, participants were able to view the operation live from the conference room in the neighbouring Sheraton Hotel as it was transmitted from the clinic. Dr. med. Michael Schubert carried out the operation, explaining the individual steps and answering questions from the auditorium throughout the operation.
Intensive training on cadavers preceded the live operation, allowing all participating doctors to get the most out of the transmitted procedures. Presentations by experienced surgeons complemented the workshop on minimally invasive endoscopic intervertebral disc surgery.

Read more about the workshop at: ATOS Private Clinic Munich News

A prime example of collaboration between China and Germany

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe – joimax® opens the 3rd Training and Reference Center in Shanghai, China, at Changzheng Hospital, Tongji University, under the direction of Prof. Ye Xiaojian. The prestigious university and its affiliated Tung-Chee Hospital were founded in 1907 by the German government as its first major project in foreign cultural policy.

It is a prime example of Sino-German collaboration, which continues to this day at Tongji University and also at other centers in Chongqing at Xinqiao Hospital under the direction of Prof. Zhou Yue, and in Beijing at the General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army (PLAGH) under the direction of Prof. Zhang Xifeng. The Training & Reference Centers provide targeted training to surgeons in endoscopic treatment methods on the spine as part of the joimax® Education Program. Above all, this features TESSYS®, the technique of transforaminal access to the lumbar spine for treatment of herniated discs and stenosis – an osseous narrowing of the spinal canal. Qualified and standardized training in these surgical techniques is essential. joimax® is therefore supporting the basic principle that patients should always receive high quality, reliable, and safe therapy in line with the very latest technology and scientific progress.

joimax® reports another record in revenues globally in Q3/2017 and introduces new products at EUROSPINE in Dublin, Ireland and at NASS in Orlando, Florida

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

IRVINE, CA – October, 10, 2017 – Due to the fast growing user interest, but moreover the patient demand for endoscopic spinal surgery, joimax® sees another record in revenues in Q3/2017, with almost 60% of growth year over year, whereas joimax USA is almost doubling its revenues compared to 2016. “These results are also reflected in the huge interest at the SMISS Annual Forum which took place Sept 14- 16, 2017 in Las Vegas and the ISASS MIS Couse which took place Sept 22 – 23 in Long Beach, where joimax® as market leader supported the cadaveric lab sessions” explains Wolfgang Ries, Founder and CEO of joimax®. Key presenters at these meetings had been Albert Telfeian, MD, PhD, Brown Univ., RI and Jian Shen, MD, PhD, Nathan-Lattauer Hospital, NY, both excellent surgeons with great experience.

Now at EUROSPINE, taking place Oct 11 – 13 in Dublin, Ireland, joimax® will introduce its new Shrill® Deflector Blades for spinal decompression. By deflecting, the blades provide an outstanding work-around-the-corner technology. They are applicable for the various joimax® TESSYS® systems as well as for the fast adopting iLESSYS® Delta system.

Additionally, a range of new Vaporflex® bipolar forceps for TESSYS® and iLESSYS® applications will be introduced as well. Those instruments are available in two handle versions and equipped with three different electrodes. The product portfolio will be completed by new sets of bipolar tweezers for micro surgery. All these bipolar instruments can be used with the very successful globally launched Endovapor® RF/HF generator, which received FDA clearance in April 2017 as well. joimax® underlines its market leadership with a professional trade fair appearance with Meet-the-Expert sessions at the booth and by hosting a Faculty and DIstributor meeting prior to the conference in Dublin.

At NASS, for the first time ever, a full endoscopic spinal surgery session is included in the main program, held on October 26th in room WF3. The session is followed by an onsite cadaveric lab running from 5:10 PM – 8:00 PM with a full joimax® presence. In order to share the vast growing endoscopic user experience more widely, joimax® will hold a Meet-the-Expert presentations at the booth as well.

joimax® will wrap up its presence at NASS congress with an Expert meeting, including a wet lab, aiming to coordinate all training and education activities, specifically those which are related to US market needs.

joimax® Experiences Major Growth, Launches TESSYS® TransSAP Endoscopic Surgical System

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

KARLSRUHE, Germany – (BUSINESS WIRE) – joimax® is continuing its year-over-year double digit growth. Over the past 9 months, joimax® has grown more than 25% globally and in the United States alone, more than 35%. Among this major spurt, the market leader in technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery is launching a new endoscopic surgical system, TESSYS® TransSAP.

“This allows for more extensive foraminal decompression and provides an optimal basis for transforaminal endoscopic fusion”

The company attributes strong growth to their popular workshop and educational program, which is now offered worldwide under the ESPINEA® training academy. To keep momentum, joimax® is releasing the TESSYS® TransSAP — the fourth addition to the TESSYS® family encompassing the standard TESSYS® Std, TESSYS® XT featuring longer reach instruments, and TESSYS® Thx, the optimized version for the thoracic spine.

The system is based on the proven TESSYS® method introduced in 2004. Since then, the technology has been enhanced and can be used for more complex indications, widening the spectrum of disease and vertebral level applications.

joimax® faculty surgeon masters, Dr. Christof Hofstetter and Dr. Ralf Wagner, demonstrate TESSYS® and iLESSYS® to an at capacity crowd during NASS 2022 in Chicago. (Photo: Business Wire)

“The TransSAP method follows an adopted access path to the spine, directly targeting the Superior Articulating Process,” says Dr. Christoph Hofstetter, associate professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington. “This allows for more extensive foraminal decompression and provides an optimal basis for transforaminal endoscopic fusion,” adds Dr. Ralf Wagner, a longstanding joimax® ESPINEA® Faculty orthopedic surgeon based in Frankfurt.

In addition, joimax® provides a series of implants for fusion indications, such as the percutaneous pedicle screw system, Percusys® Plus, and a family of 3D-printed titanium cages within the EndoLIF® program. The EndoLIF® suite of products consists of the static implants O/On-Cage, Delta-Cage and DoubleWedge-Cage. “There are plans to add a new fully-expandable cage, as well as a navigated solution for endoscopic disc preparation and implant positioning to provide a full endoscopic assisted fusion platform,” says Wolfgang Ries, CEO and founder of joimax®.

All joimax® implants can be safely inserted using the “Over-the-Wire” technique for precise implantation, making them ideal for endoscopically-assisted fusion procedures established and protected by joimax®.

These new products have been exhibited at the following trade shows: SMISS in Las Vegas, CNS in San Francisco, and NASS in Chicago, and will be featured at EUROSPINE in Milan and at the German Spine Congress, DWG, in Berlin later this year.

joimax® conducts an international Live Spinal Surgery Workshop in cooperation with the Medical University of Graz, Austria

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Spine specialists take part at the joimax® endoscopy workshop with live spinal surgeries

Karlsruhe, 14 March 2011: On 17 and 18 March 2011, the Medical University as well as the Institute for Anatomy in Graz, Austria, were the sites of a two-day international joimax® Workshop focused on the endoscopic resection of herniated discs utilizing the TESSYS® method. The first day, Dr. Wolfgang Kreil and Univ. Doz. Dr. med. Sandro Eustacchio of the Medical University Graz will operate on two patients with herniated discs using the TESSYS® method. The participating orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons from Germany, Austria, Greece, Bulgary, Italy and Macedonia will experience the surgery procedure firsthand. While operating on the patients, one of the operating surgeons will explain each step of the TESSYS® surgery and answer questions of the workshop attendees. Afterwards Dr. Wolfgang Kreil and Dr. Sandro Eustacchio will lead scientific presentations and panel discussions on how the transforaminal endoscopic technique works and what their experiences have been, while discussing several case examples.

On the second day, joimax® hosts an intensive cadaver training course at the Institute for Anatomy Graz. The practical training and hands-on learning experience gained at cadaver workshops such as this one is an important first step in the three-step joimax® CM3 Education Program. In this comprehensive program, experienced surgeons and application specialists train each workshop member to use the TESSYS® Method. The subsequent steps of the Education Program are visitations, followed by live surgeries accompanied by joimax® Medical Trainers and application specialists.

joimax launches the iLESSYS® Delta system for treatment of spinal stenosis at DGNC 2015 annual meeting

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe, Germany – June 8, 2015 (BUSINESS WIRE) – The German company joimax®, developer of technologies and training methods for minimally invasive endoscopic spinal surgery, today announced it will introduce the company’s new iLESSYS® Delta system to the market at the 66th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC) taking place in Karlsruhe, Germany from June 7-10.

iLESSYS® Delta, an advanced development of the joimax iLESSYS® technology, is suitable for dorsal and dorso lateral treatment of central spinal canal stenosis. The iLESSYS® Delta system enables a large area to be decompressed by means of the interlaminar access, guided by endoscopic-assisted vision.

“Since the access to the spine is the same as with the already well-established iLESSYS® technique, usage is very straightforward.” said Dr. Guntram Krzok, orthopedic surgeon from Waltershausen, Germany after testing the new system at a joimax workshop early this year. “I was impressed by the new scope which delivers outstanding image quality. With the specialized instrument set, it is finally possible to achieve decompression of central spinal canal stenosis.”

The iLESSYS® Delta instrument set includes specially developed tools that enable extensive, yet gentle, tissue-sparing decompression. The 6 mm working channel of the new endoscope allows for the use of large shaver blades designed for bone resection and endo-kerrisons. An additional option is the plastic (PPSU) working tube for unimpaired X-ray examination.

“iLESSYS® Delta is a logical addition to our portfolio. Not only is the system suitable for endoscopic decompression, but it also allows the parallel implantation of cages. This way we can achieve dorsal decompression and stabilization in one step,” comments Wolfgang Ries, CEO and founder of joimax.

About joimax

Founded in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 2001, joimax® is one of the leading medical device companies in minimally invasive spinal surgery („joined minimal access“). The company’s U.S. subsidiary was established in Irvine, California, in 2005. The company is primarily focused on the development, production and marketing of technologies and methods for minimally invasive endoscopic spinal surgery. joimax is active in 40 countries around the globe and its methods have been successfully employed in approximately 130,000 surgeries. With a special focus on education, the company provides surgeons with specialized technique training through the three-step joimax CM3 education program. This program includes visitations, cadaver workshops and live-surgery support.

joimax® presents product portfolio at JSSR in Yokohama Japan
Further continues International Growth Strategy

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Karlsruhe, GER– April 18, 2019 – joimax®, the Germany-based market leader of technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic, minimally-invasive spinal surgery, is presenting its complete product portfolio at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research (JSSR). The annual meeting is currently underway running April 18-20, 2019 in Yokohama, Japan.

Earlier this year, joimax® announced its partnership with United Biomech Japan, Inc., who is overseeing distribution of the complete joimax® product line throughout Japan. Approval of the Pharmaceutical Medicals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) is expected within the next couple of months.

“The Japanese market is characterized by a strong demand for innovative products on endoscopic spinal surgery,” explained United Biomech Japan, Inc. Executive Kazuya Oribe. “The interest at our booth is overwhelming. There are approximately one thousand Japanese surgeons that are now already interested in doing endoscopic spinal surgery.”

“The patients’ demand for gentle surgery methods that result in a very quick recovery, is continuously increasing,” said joimax® Group Founder and CEO Wolfgang Ries. “Our entrance into the Japanese market is another milestone in expanding our global presence to offer superior medical products. Coupled with an outstanding, international training and education program, we’ve positioned ourselves for long-term growth.”

joimax(R) presence at JSSR Yokohama, Japan, endoscopicspine surgery, Minimally invasive, Transforaminal, Interlaminar, Training and Education, Japan, United Biomech Inc., JSSR
joimax(R) presence at JSSR Yokohama, Japan, endoscopicspine surgery, Minimally invasive, Transforaminal, Interlaminar, Training and Education, Japan, United Biomech Inc., JSSR
joimax(R) presence at JSSR Yokohama, Japan, endoscopicspine surgery, Minimally invasive, Transforaminal, Interlaminar, Training and Education, Japan, United Biomech Inc., JSSR

joimax® Announces Leadership Changes,
Expands U.S. Commercial Operations

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

KARLSRUHE, Germany (BUSINESS WIRE) – joimax®, the German-based market leader in technologies and methodologies for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, announces the transition of Founder and long-standing CEO Wolfgang Ries to Executive Chairman and the appointment of Maximilian Ries to Chief Executive Officer.

joimax-Logo-TEC-Building

After founding joimax® 24-years ago, Wolfgang Ries is stepping down as CEO to focus on research and development and to lead ESPINEA® Endoscopic Spine Academy, the only endoscopic training program accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Taking over as CEO is Maximilian Ries, who during his 16-year tenure at joimax®, held diverse leadership roles in product management, R&D, operations, and finance. He served as General Manager from 2016 to 2021 before returning to Germany in 2022 where he was most recently Executive Vice President of Global Operations and Business Development of joimax®.

joimax-Logo-TEC-Building

“I am honored to lead joimax® into the next phase of growth as we continue advancing our market-leading endoscopic spine technologies,” stated Maximilian Ries. “We are seeing endoscopic spine surgery emerge as the new gold standard in minimally invasive spine care — a legacy built by Wolfgang that I’m proud to continue.”

Mr. Maximilian Ries
CEO of joimax® 

In the lead-up to these transitions, joimax® strengthened its U.S. commercial team with several key changes, including the promotions of Anthony Troncale to President, Levon Zanadvorov, MD to Medical Director, Joe O’Connor to Vice President of US Sales, Chris Lever to Vice President Business Operations and Finance, and Jarred Shewey to Director of Clinical Education, as well as the addition of Katherine Ray as Director of Global Marketing.

“I am handing off joimax® to a highly talented and experienced team of endoscopic spine experts under Max’s leadership,” said Wolfgang Ries. “I couldn’t be more excited about the company’s future and the continued advancement of endoscopic spine surgery.”

Mr. Wolfgang Ries
Founder and Executive Chairman of joimax® 

joimax® goes BRIC and beyond

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Right on time with the soon expected registrations of the joimax® products in Brazil – one of the most emerging BRIC economies – the German-based company showed a very successful presence at the third World Congress of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Techniques (WCMISST) in Salvador de Bahia. The congress was supported by the main International MISS Societies. Almost 2.000 interested participants attended the congress which focused especially on promoting and enhancing the interventional minimally invasive treatment of spine diseases. joimax® is very proud of being part of this exciting development.

The eight largest emerging and developing economies by either nominal GDP or PPP are the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as well as Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, and South Korea. joimax® is represented in more than 60% of these countries – namely China, Russia, India, South Korea, and Turkey – and observes a fast growing number of registered products in these areas. In Brazil and Mexico submissions with the Health Authorities were started several months ago. The completion is expected in the near future. Then nearly 90% of the growth-leading economies will be covered.

joimax® provides the complete range of high-quality medical devices for minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery “Made in Germany”. As a matter of course these devices are CE-marked and FDA-cleared and are sold throughout the European Union and the United States. The specific surgery methods they are used for, were developed by joimax® together with international experts and opinion leaders for the benefit of the patients:

Less pain, less trauma, less hospitalization, gain back quality of life and be back to work in shorter time!

The advantages are evident. Therefore joimax® has established a worldwide net of distribution partners allowing that as many patients as possible can get access to these progressive therapy methods.

Other important countries where joimax® is already present are: South Africa, Israel and Australia. One of the company’s goals within the next few years is to achieve the approval for its devices with the Japanese Ministry of Health.

Emerging and growth-leading economies are the key markets that are expected to lead global growth in the next 10 years. “joimax® is most pleased with its growing market penetration also in these countries, hence promoting these gentle, patient-friendly and economically beneficial surgery methods for the sake of the patients and of the health insurance systems at the same time”, states Wolfgang Ries, CEO and Founder of joimax®.

joimax® shows major presence at NASS 2016 with a User Meeting and Workshop at Harvard Medical School, a NASS CME Lab and an Expert Panel Forum at the exhibition booth

Posted on by Antonio Berlen

Irvine, CA and Karlsruhe, Germany – October 25, 2016 – joimax®, the global acting German developer and marketer of technologies and training methods for endoscopic minimally-invasive spinal surgery, will again exhibit at the annual meeting of the North American Spine Society (NASS) 2016, taking place from October 26 – 29 in Boston, USA. Prior to the convention, on Monday, October 24, joimax® will hold a User Meeting followed by a workshop at the Harvard Medical School Conference Center. On Tuesday, October 25, the NASS CME-Lab with a joimax® station will take place. During the exhibition a group of internationally respected spine experts will also give presentations in a forum at the joimax® booth.

Key topics of the joimax® User Meeting will be centered around the endoscopic treatment of degenerative spinal diseases on the basis of the joimax® portfolio products with TESSYS®, CESSYS®, iLESSYS® Delta systems as well as EndoLIF® and Percusys®. A group of spine experts will share their expertise and extensive knowledge on the treatment of spinal diseases. The meeting will be completed with a cadaver lab with 3-4 stations at the Conference Center of the Harvard Medical School to train attendees on the whole range of endoscopic minimally-invasive spine surgery applications based on the joimax® techniques.

Tuesday’s NASS CME-Lab will be chaired by Professor Michael Y. Wang, M.D. FACS, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, another pioneering spine surgeon and joimax® faculty member, who recently published a special edition in the Journal of Neurosurgery called Neurosurgical Focus, focused on Endoscopic Spine Surgery.

Additionally, joimax® will host a “Meet the Expert Forum” with presentations at its booth given by Dr. Ralf Wagner and Dr. Erik Traupe, both from Germany, and also Dr. Menno Iprenburg from the Netherlands. Topics discussed will include the benefits of spinal endoscopic transforminal and interlaminar decompression methods over traditional ones. joimaxs’® novel treatment options for advanced indications enjoy a fast growing adoption rate of its endoscopic technologies worldwide will also be discussed.

“In the context of the annual NASS meetings’ we aim to share the latest information, innovative techniques and best practices with renowned spine care professionals from around the world. These joimax® activities will satisfy the requirements of spine specialists to take advantage of the latest innovations and technologies in endoscopic minimally-invasive spine surgery,” says Wolfgang Ries, CEO and founder of joimax®.

“With our existing product range as well as with our newly launched products – the MultiZYTE® SI endoscopic sacroiliac joint therapy set, MultiZYTE® RT for endoscopic minimally-invasive treatment of the facet joint and the new Intracs® Intraoperative Navigation Tracking & Control System, joimax® uniquely enhances its endoscopic minimally-invasive product portfolio to fully meet users’ needs,” he continues.