UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Surgeon Dr. Thomas R. Duquin Is Part of Team That Developed This New Technology
Thomas R. Duquin, MD Shoulder & Elbow Surgery, Clinical Research Associate Director
BUFFALO, NY — In January 2025, Northtowns Ambulatory Surgery Center (NASC) became the second site in the world to perform an anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty procedure using the new OsseoFit™ Stemless Shoulder System. The procedure at NASC was performed by Thomas R. Duquin, MD, a Shoulder Joint Replacement & Reconstruction Surgeon and Clinical Research Associate Director at UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, and a physician owner and orthopaedic surgeon at NASC. Passionate about using technology and innovation to help patients with shoulder problems, Dr. Duquin was also part of the team of surgeons and engineers who developed the OsseoFit implant.
“As part of the development team, we performed several cadaver labs in preparation for the launch of the new implant,” says Dr. Duquin. “Our team spent significant time and effort working on the instruments and surgical technique to make the procedure simple, efficient and accurate. My first clinical experience with OsseoFit supports that we were successful in achieving those goals.”
Produced by global medical technology leader Zimmer Biomet, the OsseoFit™ Stemless Shoulder System is an anatomically1-3shaped left and right-sided implant for stemless total shoulder arthroplasty. It is designed for stable initial4-7 and biological fixation8,9* by optimizing anatomic humeral fit. As part of the evolution to use less invasive and bone-preserving implants for shoulder arthroplasty, the bone-conserving design of OsseoFit matches the natural asymmetric shape of the shoulder bone.
“OsseoFit is innovative because it was designed to match the anatomy of the proximal humerus,” says Dr. Duquin. “Extensive research was done to determine the optimal shape and fit for the implant to optimize fixation in the proximal humeral bone. All other stemless shoulder implants currently available are symmetric, but the proximal humeral bone is not circular or symmetric (meaning the dimensions medial to lateral and anterior to posterior are different from each other, and right is different from left). Therefore, OsseoFit was designed as an asymmetric right and left-specific implant that matches the anatomy of the proximal humerus to allow for optimal fixation.”
Utilizing a proprietary additive manufacturing process, the OsseoFit Stemless Shoulder System is made from OsseoTi® Porous Metal Technology, a 3D printed porous material created using human CT data to provide a structure designed to mimic the architecture of human cancellous bone. OsseoTi Porous Metal has been used in other orthopedic applications, including hip and knee replacement implants. It is combined with Zimmer Biomet’s complete portfolio of Identity® Versa-Dial® Head Technology to optimize soft tissue tensioning and Alliance® Glenoid components to deliver a personalized fit for total shoulder replacement.
“The OsseoFit implant is designed to provide fixation in the proximal humerus, which eliminates the need for a stemmed humeral component,” says Dr. Duquin. “This less invasive technique reduces the amount of bone removal. The goal is to reduce pain, bleeding and the risk of complications for patients, such as periprosthetic humerus fractures and stress shielding.”
The first surgery using the OsseoFit implant was performed by John W. Sperling, MD, who was also part of the team of surgeons and engineers who developed the OsseoFit implant.
“The innovative design of the implant will help surgeons better understand the anatomy of the proximal humerus,” says Dr. Duquin. “As part of the launch of OsseoFit, we will be conducting training labs for surgeons to educate them on the surgical technique and indications.”
“I am fortunate to be able to collaborate with Zimmer Biomet, a leader in the shoulder arthroplasty and orthopaedic market,” says Dr. Duquin. “This relationship has allowed me the ability to work with amazing engineers and thought leaders in the shoulder community to develop new implants and technologies that are designed to help improve outcomes of shoulder arthroplasty for my patients and for the rest of the world.”
In addition to his physician roles, Dr. Duquin is devoted to clinical research and to educating the next generation of orthopaedic physicians. He serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopaedics, Vice Chair for Academic Advancement and Director of Medical Student Education at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.
“Orthopaedic surgery and medicine in general are rapidly advancing,” says Dr. Duquin. “This requires all physicians and surgeons to stay current with the best available treatments for the patients they treat. It is important to remember not all innovation is good, and surgeons are required to follow the evidence and research for new technology. When considering the adoption of new technology, we often do not have long-term clinical follow-up studies to demonstrate the benefits. However, for the OsseoFit implant, we have conducted studies using mechanical testing and computational modeling that demonstrated stable initial fixation4-7 and anatomic fit1-3 of this implant. A Post Market Clinical Follow-up Study will be performed on the OsseoFit Stemless Shoulder System to confirm safety, performance, and clinical benefits.”
Located in the 716 Health medical complex, NASC celebrated its grand opening in October 2024. Sponsored by University Orthopaedic Services, Inc., University at Buffalo Surgeons Inc., 33 physician members and an affiliate of Kaleida Health, the 38,000-square-foot NASC facility contains 14 total surgical and procedure rooms, making it among the largest — if not the largest — freestanding, multi-specialty ambulatory surgery centers in New York State.
About Northtowns Ambulatory Surgery Center
Centrally located in the newly built 716 Health medical complex, Northtowns Ambulatory Surgery Center (NASC) is committed to enhancing the health care delivery system in Western New York by providing world-class surgical care. NASC proud to offer a comprehensive suite of outpatient interventions using the latest medical advancements and state-of-the-art equipment. As a safe, efficient and cost-effective alternative to hospitalization, services include orthopaedics, colorectal surgery, general surgery, plastic surgery, vascular surgery, breast surgery, and colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures. Housing over 40 board-certified physicians with a wide range of surgical expertise, NASC’s 38,000-square-foot facility includes seven operating rooms, four endoscopy suites and three procedure rooms that enhance patient care with the latest technology and commitment to excellence. To learn more, visit northtownsasc.com.
About UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (UBMDOSM) is a member of UBMD Physicians’ Group, the largest medical group in Buffalo with over 600 physicians across all practices. UBMDOSM is comprised of 48 physicians engaged in providing orthopaedic services to patients in Western New York and surrounding areas, as well as providing clinical instruction and supervision to the residents and fellows of the Department of Orthopaedics and the students of the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The group is affiliated with Kaleida Health, Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), Catholic Health System and Niagara Falls Memorial, and staffs Buffalo General Hospital, ECMC and Oishei Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. In addition, they are the team doctors for the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bandits, Rochester Americans, UB Bulls, Buffalo State Bengals, ECC Kats, NCCC Thunderwolves, Niagara University Purple Eagles, Daemen University Wildcats and Hilbert Hawks. To learn more, visit ubortho.com.
OsseoFit, OsseoTi, Versa-Dial, and Identity are trademarks of Zimmer Biomet
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References:
*Laboratory tests and animal tests are not indicative of clinical performance.
- Mueri, C., Snethen, K., Parisi, R., Son, Y., Duquin, T. Characterization of the Asymmetric Bone Envelope of the Proximal Humeral Metaphysis for Stemless Shoulder Implants. ORS Orthopaedic Research Society 2025 Annual Meeting, Paper 1175; 2025 Feb 7-11; Phoenix, Arizona.
- Son, Y, Mueri, C., Snethen, K., Bowman, L., Parisi, R., Duquin, T. Optimizing Stemless Humeral Anchors: Asymmetrical Designs for Minimizing Cortical Bone Impingement while Maximizing Cancellous Bone Purchase. ORS Orthopaedic Research Society 2025 Annual Meeting, Paper No. 2051; 2025 Feb 7-11; Phoenix, Arizona.
- ZRR_WI_6743_24. Analysis of Potential Cortical Perforation for the OsseoFit Stemless Shoulder. Zimmer Biomet Internal Research Report on File.
- Snethen, K., Mueri, C., Kriska, T., Son, Y., Bandi, M. The Sensitivity of the Stability of Stemless Humeral Implants to Surgical, Patient and Design Factors in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty. ORS Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Paper No. 1032; 2023, Dallas, Texas.
- Snethen, K., Son, Y., Mueri, C., Bischoff, J. The Effect of Press-fit on Initial Stability in Stemless Shoulder Arthroplasty. ISTA International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty Annual Meeting, Podium Presentation, Abstract No. 7588; 2022, Maui, Hawaii.
- Snethen, K., Mueri, C., Son, Y., Parisi, R., Duquin, T. The Effect of Geometric Design on Initial Stability of Stemless Shoulder Implants. ORS Orthopaedic Research Society 2025 Annual Meeting, Paper No. 1168; 2025 Feb 7-11; Phoenix, Arizona.
- ZBTR_30118. Anchor-Level Micromotion of the OsseoFit Stemless Shoulder with Application in Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty. Zimmer Biomet Internal Design Verification Report on File.
- Gupta, G. Evaluation of Bony Ingrowth Implant Materials in an In Vivo Sheep Long Bone Defect Model 12-04/12-07, February 2013. 32.
- Gupta, G. OsseoTi Porous Metal For Enhanced Bone Integration: an Animal Study. White Paper. 2014. Form No. BMET0718.0-GBL • REV1214.