What is the Eagle Ray Graft Positioning Device?

The Eagle Ray is the first universal arthroscopic deployment device for rotator cuff augmentation patches. It is a single-use, sterile, pre-packaged instrument that delivers any commercially available patch through a standardized three-step workflow — Expose, Expand, Eject — under full arthroscopic visualization. It is FDA Class I exempt (product code 888.4540) and patent-pending.

What is the FDA regulatory status of the Eagle Ray?

Eagle Ray is FDA Class I exempt under product classification code 888.4540. It is exempt from 510(k) pre-market notification requirements. A comprehensive patent application is pending covering the universal deployment mechanism, the graft positioning system, and the Expose-Expand-Eject workflow.

How does the three-step Expose, Expand, Eject workflow work?

After introducing the device through a standard arthroscopic portal, the surgeon (1) retracts the sheath to EXPOSE the loaded patch under full visualization, (2) activates the rotary mechanism to EXPAND the patch at the repair site, and (3) actuates the release control to EJECT the positioned patch. The device cleanly disengages, leaving the patch ready for fixation using the surgeon's preferred technique.

Who founded JJJ Medical?

JJJ Medical was founded by three co-founders: Justin T. Smith, MD (board-certified orthopedic sports surgeon and Chief Medical Officer), Jeremy Smith (CEO, leading business strategy and partnerships), and Jeff Broadrick (Chief Technology Officer and biomedical engineer responsible for device design and manufacturing).

Why is arthroscopic deployment of rotator cuff augmentation patches difficult?

Current deployment of augmentation patches through an arthroscopic portal is mechanically challenging. Surgeons must manually fold or roll the patch, which can damage the graft, lengthen operative time, and compromise visualization. Each patch manufacturer typically requires a different deployment technique. The Eagle Ray standardizes the deployment with a universal three-step workflow that maintains full arthroscopic visualization throughout.

What types of rotator cuff tears benefit most from patch augmentation?

Large and massive rotator cuff tears, revision repairs, and repairs in tissue with poor quality (chronic tears, fatty infiltration, or advanced degeneration) benefit most from patch augmentation. Recent randomized controlled trials report control-group retear rates of 34% to 65% for large tears repaired without augmentation, with patch augmentation significantly reducing retear rates (OR 0.32; 95% CI 0.18–0.55).

Is the Eagle Ray reusable?

No. The Eagle Ray is a single-use, sterile, pre-packaged device. There is no reprocessing or in-house sterilization. This eliminates reprocessing costs and ensures consistent performance for every case.

How long does Eagle Ray deployment take during surgery?

The Eagle Ray is designed to deliver an augmentation patch arthroscopically in under two minutes, integrating into the surgeon's existing technique without requiring new skills or extending the procedure significantly.

Where is the Eagle Ray manufactured?

The Eagle Ray Graft Positioning Device is designed and manufactured in the United States by JJJ Medical LLC.

JJJ Medical — Eagle Ray™ Graft Positioning Device

Name: Eagle Ray Graft Positioning Device
Brand: Eagle Ray

The universal arthroscopic deployment system for rotator cuff augmentation patches. FDA Class I exempt (product code 888.4540), patent-pending, made in the USA.

One Device. Any Patch. Three Steps.

The Eagle Ray works with any commercially available rotator cuff augmentation patch — including ZuriMED FiberLocker, Anika Integrity, ConMed BioBrace, and Zimmer-Biomet Tapestry — through a standardized three-step workflow.

Expose — Retract the sheath to reveal the loaded augmentation patch under full arthroscopic visualization.
Expand — Activate the rotary expansion mechanism to unfurl and position the patch at the repair site.
Eject — Release the positioned graft with a single action; the device cleanly disengages, leaving the patch ready for fixation.

Why a Universal Deployment Device?

Rotator cuff retear rates remain unacceptably high. Across all rotator cuff repair procedures, the overall pooled retear rate is approximately 16% at long-term follow-up (Longo et al., BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2021). For large tears repaired without augmentation, retear rates in recent randomized controlled trials range from 34% to 65% (Orozco et al., Arthroscopy 2024). Patch augmentation significantly reduces retear rates (de Andrade et al., Orthop J Sports Med 2022) — but current arthroscopic deployment is manual and patch-specific.

Founders

Justin T. Smith, MD — Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer. Board-certified orthopedic sports surgeon, Charlotte, NC.
Jeremy Smith — Co-Founder & CEO.
Jeff Broadrick — Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Biomedical engineer responsible for device design and manufacturing.

Contact

Surgeon demo requests, partnership inquiries (licensing, distribution, OEM integration, or platform acquisition), and regulatory questions: info@JJJMed.com.

Eagle Ray™ is a trademark of JJJ Medical LLC. Intended for use by qualified healthcare professionals only. This page is the static HTML fallback; the interactive site is loading.