2. Best Spine Technologies for 2017
Innovations in spine continue to attract readers as the ten companies with the BEST new spine care technologies for 2017 were:
7D Surgical‘s Flash Align creates individual virtual models of each spine vertebrae from a preoperative image set, which are used to characterize the shape of the spine intraoperatively.
Amniox Medical/Tissue Tech‘s RESPINA UC/AM is Cryopreserved Umbilical Cord/Amniotic Membrane Matrix for use in microdiscectomies. It is an easy to use, fully resorbable biological matrix that aids in the restorative healing of minimally invasive microdiscectomy procedures.
LifeWalker Mobility Products/Protostar Inc. developed a next-generation medical walker called the Upright Medical Walker that allows patients to walk longer, with less spine pain, and requires less oxygen than a standard rollator.
Lite Run Inc.’s ExoSuit uses differential air pressure inside a specially-designed suit to effectively unweight some of patient’s body weight onto Lite Run’s proprietary walker. A patient’s effective body weight may be reduced by over 50%.
Mighty Oak Medical created the X-Caliber Porous Pedicle Screw which provides improved biomechanical pedicle fixation, regardless of bone quality or the forces being applied to the screw. X-Caliber includes both porous and solid aspects which are fused together into a single solid construct.
Orthofix Inc.‘s STIM onTRACK Mobile App is a mobile application designed for use with smartphones and other mobile devices. It helps patients adhere to their prescriptions, including daily treatment reminders, a device usage calendar, links to educational resources, and access to Orthofix’s Patient Care team.
TrackX Technology’s TrackX tracks surgical instruments in real surgical time using ultra low dose radiation imaging. allows surgeons to substantially reduce the number of X-rays needed to accurately and safely advance instrumentation, place implants and restore anatomy—all while using low-dose imaging and reducing overall OR time.
TranS1 developed the Pylon MIS Posterolateral Graft Delivery System, a reusable spinal instrument which allows surgeons to perform one of the gold standards of fusion (posterolateral gutter fusion) through a minimally invasive approach. It is an all-in-one instrument and requires only a single instrument pass above or below the level(s) to be fused.
VersaSpine, LLC’s VersaSpine Dual-Ended Minimally Invasive Pedicle Screw System is a minimally invasive patented pedicle screw implantation system, based upon the novel dual-socket pedicle screw which allows both anterior and/or posterior fixation.
ZygoFix, Ltd‘s ZLOCK Facet Fusion System is a posterior stabilization system designed to lock the facet joint of the lumbar spine. The ZLOCK anchors into both superior and inferior articulating processes, immobilizing its motion and providing stabilization.
1. Innovative Pain Therapies
The number one read story in OTW in 2017 was all about a drug-free pain therapy for plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis. The therapy was a winner of one of our aforementioned best new Sports Medicine Technology Awards for 2017.
The interest of readers points to a hunger for more innovations in pain management where several new approaches, some with new formulations of old drugs (lower doses, longer lasting, safer) and non-drug ideas like distracted pain management, are being developed.
BioElectronics Corp.’s ActiPatch provides 720 hours (90, 8-hour treatments) of on/off therapy. Most users obtain relief with only 8 hours per day of use, and the device generally last several months, depending on use. ActiPatch is described by BioElectronics as “an adjunctive or alternative therapy to pain killers, including narcotics.”
As Americans come to grips with the opioid crisis, orthopedic surgeons, providers and technology developers will do what they always do—find solutions. In 2017 we recognized and admitted there is a problem. We look forward to reporting on the solutions to arrive in 2018.
