Advita Ortho today announced the first clinical use of humeral liners manufactured with Activit-E® polyethylene, bringing its advanced vitamin E polyethylene technology to the Equinoxe® Reverse Shoulder System. The reverse humeral liners are available for its platform stem, small reverse baseplates and fracture stem, and with this introduction, the Activit-E polyethylene technology is now available across Advita’s shoulder, knee and ankle portfolios. The surgeries were performed by Thomas Wright, MD, of the University of Florida, this week.
Activit-E polyethylene is a highly crosslinked (HXLPE) ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) that includes the addition of the antioxidant vitamin E. Its composition is designed to offer a unique combination of benefits, including improved wear resistance due to crosslinking and oxidative stability provided by the antioxidant vitamin E when compared to conventional UHMWPE.1-4
...Activit-E combined with the impressive clinical success of the Equinoxe Reverse Shoulder System have the potential to improve my patients’ lives...
“Whenever I plan my cases, I look for products and technologies that provide the ability to enhance my patients’ outcomes. The improved polyethylene wear properties of Activit-E combined with the impressive clinical success of the Equinoxe Reverse Shoulder System have the potential to improve my patients’ lives,” said Dr. Wright.
Activit‑E incorporates vitamin E, a well-established antioxidant, directly into the UHMWPE prior to processing. The vitamin E–enhanced UHMWPE is compression molded into bar stock, annealed for stress relief and then gamma irradiated. This manufacturing process is designed to support long-term oxidative stability while preserving the desirable performance characteristics of the polyethylene. The material is then precision machined into Equinoxe reverse humeral liners.
...With Activit-E now available across our shoulder, ankle and knee systems, we’re providing surgeons with another advanced material option...
“This milestone reflects Advita’s continued commitment to expanding meaningful innovations across our portfolio,” said Aurelio Sahagun, Chief Executive Officer. “With the Activit-E polyethylene now available across our shoulder, ankle and knee systems, we’re providing surgeons with another advanced material option designed to enhance surgical outcomes.”
The Activit-E humeral liners are currently available in limited quantities in the U.S. during pilot launch, and Advita plans to expand availability in the fourth quarter of 2026. This new product will also soon launch internationally in limited quantities. Please contact your local Advita sales representative for more information.
View the full Equinoxe Reverse
Shoulder Solutions portfolio.
https://advita.com/shoulder/equinoxe-reverse-shoulder-system/
References:
- Muratoglu O. et al.Wear resistance and mechanical properties of highly cross-linked, ultrahigh-molecular weight polyethylene doped with vitamin E.J Arthroplasty 2006 Jun;21(4):580-91. Doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2005.07.009.
- Muratoglu O. et al.A surface crosslinked UHMWPE stabilized by vitamin E with low wear and high fatigue strength.Biomaterials 2010 Sep;31(27):7051-60. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.05.041. Epub 2010 Jun 25.
- Lerf R. et al.Use of vitamin E to protect cross-linked UHMWPE from oxidation. Biomaterials 2010 May;31(13):3643-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.01.076. Epub 2010 Feb 9.
- Shen J. et al.Natural Polyphenols Enhance Stability of Crosslinked UHMWPE for Joint Implants. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2014 Aug 9;473(3):760–766. doi: 10.1007/s11999-014-3850-0.
Activit-E polyethylene and Equinoxe Reverse Shoulder System are distributed by Advita.
