A successful product is much more than the sum of its parts.
This not only applies to the production facilities in Norderstedt but equally to the Berlin-based investment foundry VACUCAST and the company`s own specialist development enterprise, DERU. LINK is continually working on innovations in all areas - from new coatings through to optimized instruments in order to satisfy the advances in day-to-day surgery.

The Hamburg-based specialists for arthroplasty and bone replacement are not only focused on new developments. Existing implants and instruments are subject to frequent scrutiny and, where appropriate, improved in line with the very latest findings. But that does not imply that we follow every single trend. For this long-established company, innovation also means sticking to the tried and tested provided that there are good reasons for doing so.

At the LINK Group`s development enterprise, DERU, an ever growing team of specialists works on improvements in the arthroplasty sector. Our development engineers not only take account of the latest findings regarding biomechanics, metallurgy, polymer technology, tribology, surface technology and kinematics, but also the current technological requirements, for example, in terms of machinery.

Hip prosthesis innovations
Although the anatomically adapted hip prosthesis system SP II Model Lubinus was launched back in 1984, even today this femoral stem is regarded as pioneering and impresses with its outstanding long-term stability. The curvature of this prosthesis stem, which is additionally curved in the sagittal plane, is modeled on the three-dimensional shape of the femoral medullary canal. Accordingly, the prosthesis corresponds to the anatomy of the human hip and can counteract the rotational forces known to be the main cause of loosening. This product has, to date, achieved unrivaled results in the regularly published and validated documentation from the Swedish hip study*. In 2015, LINK launched the cementless SP-CL on the basis of the cemented Lubinus SP II. It draws on the long experience of the SP IIand is likewise an anatomical femoral stem.

The C.F.P. Hip Prosthesis System, too, is based on the biomechanically optimal load-bearing and anchoring principles of human physiology. This product was developed in 1988 specially for biologically young patients: the bioharmonic short stem system enables a cementless implantation technique to be used. It also allows the femoral neck axis to be conserved and thus ensures the best possible conditions for any subsequent interventions which might be necessary.

Knee prosthesis innovations
The LINK GEMINI Total Knee Replacement provides for soft tissue-friendly interventions. With the modular SL System and its three functional designs, Mobile Bearing, Fixed Bearing and Fixed Bearing PS, it is possible to react to specific conditions during the course of surgery. The LINK Sled Prosthesis with MITUS ART instrument set, which was launched back in 1969, boasts a similarly unique success story. According to the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register, it has been continuously cited as the reference product* in terms of revision risk since 2001.

The LINK Endo-Model Rotational and Hinge Knee Prosthesis, which was developed in 1979 on the basis of the St. Georg model, has also proved a major success for several decades. Whilst the basic principle has remained unchanged, today this prosthesis includes a variety of new features such as a long stem, cementless stem anchoring, LINK PorEx coating, the modular SL Model and models for distal femur replacement and proximal tibial replacement. Thanks to the alignment of the resection geometry to the primary knee, the SL Knee is a system-integrated, exchangeable component which offers a vast range of options for primary and revision interventions, whether as a rotational or hinge knee joint.

Tumor and revision arthroplasty innovations
At LINK we are guided by the maxim: “The more complex the task, the more we relish the challenge.”
For example, using individual medical histories and x-ray images, a specialist team works solely on developing custom-made implants for seemingly unsolvable cases - from push-through prostheses, pelvis replacement, proximal tibial replacement, distal femur replacement and prostheses for patients with extreme bone loss through to implants which are capable of growing together with the child patient. Over 35,000 custom-made implants have been produced since the 1970s. But certain standardized LINK prosthesis models also offer a wide range of options and customizations. Take, for example, the cemented and cementless MP Reconstruction Prosthesis which, given its modular stem components, allows the stem length, anteversion and neck length to be individually adjusted in stages. Moreover, the materials used, the innovative redirection of forces and the long-established connection technology are a guarantee for maximum stability.

The innovative LINK MEGASYSTEM-C Tumor and Revision Prostheses are even more outstanding, a modular reconstruction system for tumor surgery whose numerous modules allow partial bone replacement in the proximal and distal femur region in centimeter steps up to and including total femur replacement.

Surgical instrument innovations
In addition to developing many arthroplasty innovations, the company, which was originally founded as a supplier of hospital equipment, has always remained true to its roots. Today, LINK supplies a comprehensive range of surgical instruments for hand, foot and spinal surgery as well as general orthopedics. These instruments have been developed in close cooperation with practicing surgeons with an impressive depth of expertise.

The spectrum of specialist spinal instruments is unique in the world. Around 1,500 instruments for the most diverse applications are available, including numerous in-house developments for soft tissues, bones, skin, osteosynthesis and other areas. The range of instruments designed to facilitate hand surgery covers every situation. Alongside standard instrument sets for the most diverse applications, including soft tissues, bones, tendons, skin transplantation, microsurgery and osteosynthesis, LINK offers the right product for virtually every hand-surgery requirement; from forceps and scissors, scalpel handles, needle holders and vascular clamps through to self-retaining retractors and surgical accessories.

SP-CL surgical technique EN 02-2015 - Video