Overview

	Coapt Systems, Inc. is a Palo Alto based company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets bio absorbable implants specifically to provide surgeons with the next generation of soft tissue fixation technology. Our company has developed a breakthrough platform technology for soft tissue fixation that enables surgeons to reduce operating time, facilitate minimally invasive procedures, minimize procedural complexity, and achieve improved surgical outcomes. We apply our patented technology platforms to surgical procedures that require accurate soft tissue fixation either to apposing soft tissue or to bone. THE PROBLEM WITH SOFT TISSUE FIXATION A primary objective for many surgical procedures is the safe and efficacious coaptation (adjoining) of soft tissue in order to bring it together for smooth and rapid healing (Figure 1). For the past 5,000 years, suturing has been the technique of choice. However, the use of sutures is often problematic leading to prolonged procedure times, delayed recovery, and compromised results (Figure 2). Soft Tissue to Soft Tissue When fine sutures are used to grasp and hold soft tissue, tension is concentrated on a single point of contact, which can cause cutting at the suture-tissue interface. This "cheese cutter" effect (Figure 3) on the tissue allows the surgical edges to dehisce from the plane of fixation, leading to unsatisfactory results. Suturing is also often frustrating and time consuming for the surgeon, adding considerable operating time especially when adjustments are required.

	Soft Tissue to Bone There are a variety of orthopedic, plastic and reconstructive procedures that require the secure fixation of soft tissue to bone in order to promote rapid healing. The standard technique in this setting is the use of suture anchors or interference screws to achieve coaptation of tendons and ligaments to bone. The use of sutures results in a single point of contact between the soft tissue and suture. This focused concentration of tension can overwhelm the soft tissue leading to failure of fixation and can potentially require corrective procedures. When interference screws are used, continuous pressure on the soft tissue and bone may lead to necrosis, bone erosion, and loosening of fixation. These unresolved problems may negatively affect recovery rates and long-term outcomes. OUR SOLUTIONS MultiPoint Technology (MPT™) Coapt Systems’ patented MultiPoint Technology is a revolutionary solution to the problems associated with joining soft tissues. Unlike a suture-based approach, which creates a single point of contact leading to a focused concentration of tension, the MPT approach secures tissue at multiple points of contact, distributing tension widely and consistently throughout the tissue.
	As the engineering analysis below shows, for a given load, the stress concentration at the point of fixation is much higher for single point than for multiple point fixation devices. Computer Generated Finite Element Analysis Showing Tissue Under Stress High concentrations of stress cause soft tissue to deform (red zone in Figure 6), and may lead to failure of fixation. Our computer models demonstrate this when sutures or screws are used to fixate the forehead during browplasty. Focal stress in single point fixation techniques may be the cause of forehead re-descent and undesirable results. Tension distribution leads to more stable tissue shape, less distortion, and the structurally favorable distribution of stress (Figure 7). Current Applications Forehead Lift ENDOTINE Forehead 3.0, 3.5 and Triple Brow Lift ENDOTINE TransBleph Midface Suspension ENDOTINE Midface ST and B Jowl and Neck Suspension ENDOTINE Ribbon LBL-899-7101 Rev B