1st Aug 2016 – Laurence Kilgannon
A hip replacement system designed by four Sheffield surgeons has been acquired by healthcare company JRI Orthopaedics.
Professor Ian Stockley, Andrew Hamer, Robert Kerry and Simon Buckley formed Sheffield Medical Products Ltd (SMPL) eight years ago to bring to market a new total hip replacement system. 
“There are very good cemented implants on the market,” said orthopaedic surgeon Andrew Hamer, who is based at the Northern General Hospital.
“However, we felt we could improve on the best design by making it more user-friendly, with much more streamlined instrumentation, more cost-effective and compatible with the widest range of hip sockets.”
After securing European CE quality and safety accreditation, the first patients received their new AEON hips in September 2011 and over the last five years about 700 patients – largely in Sheffield – have received the implant.
AEON became the first hip replacement system to go beyond standard regulatory requirements by entering the Beyond Compliance scheme, ensuring close post-market follow-up. It has now been awarded the 3A* ODEP rating.
During this process SMPL have partnered with JRI, which has expertise in the design, development and manufacture of orthopaedic implants and surgical instruments.