So, without further delay, here are the ten best new spine technologies for 2018 in alphabetical order:
Top Ten Spine Technologies for 2018
Augmedics
Winning Technology: xvision™
Inventors and Engineers: Nissan Elimelech, Stuart Wolf, Elazar Gerland, Nessi Benishti, Tsur Herman, Ziv Amitai, Ron Zaidman, Daniel Messinger, Natalie Starodubsky, Yaacov Rothschild, Asaf Asban, Nitzan Krasney, Dekel Matalon
xvision-spine system (XVS)™ is an augmented reality surgical navigation system that is designed to give surgeons a form of “X-ray vision.” Using extremely fast processing capabilities, the XVS system superimposes patient CT data, in real time, onto a heads-up display while also accurately determining the position of surgical tools real-time. The net effect is that surgeons can simultaneously look at their patient while also seeing the anatomy below and the position of instruments—without averting their eyes to a remote screen.
A recent study of using XVS in surgery found: “Overall screw placement accuracy was 96.7% and 94.6% when employing HGS and GS grading respectively. Insertion accuracy was non-inferior to MN pedicle insertion when compared to both GS and HGS scores. When compared to RN insertion, accuracy was found to be noninferior when employing the GS score, but superior when employing the HGS score. Lastly, accuracy results were found to be superior to free-hand insertion. Accuracy results were not found to be inferior in any comparison. User experience analysis yielded ‘excellent’ usability classification.”
DiFusion Technologies, Inc.
Winning Technology: ZFUZE – PEEK COMPOSITE
Inventor: Derrick Johns, Joseph Crudden, Ph.D.
Engineer: Sriram Sankar, MS
ZFUZE is a revolutionary new biomaterial. It is a blend of a base PEEK polymer and “negatively charged zeolites.” Negatively charged zeolites are specialty molecules change the surface topography, charging characteristics, and pH of the resulting implant in a manner which improves long-term patient healing. ZFUZE is NOT a COATING, or a SURFACE TREATMENT. It is, instead, an entirely new LOAD BEARING BIOMATERIAL and can be utilized across multiple orthopedic applications. ZFUZE solves the one setback PEEK had in non-osteointegration, while maintaining attractive and similar bone modulus and visualization benefits.
In two major animal studies of ZFUZE, investigators have found that the implants have “hydrophilic” surfaces which encourage early cell adhesion and osteoblast proliferation. Why? The presence of negatively charged zeolite—which resulted in reduced inflammation and fibrous tissue yet more bone”. Further, radiographic has highly indicative of “osteoconduction”. The company is seeking an osteoconduction claim with the FDA. In its bare essence DiFusion “fixed-PEEK” by adding a known hydrophilic negatively charged particle to plain old inert and hydrophobic PEEK and created a negatively charged osteoconductive biomaterial which is not recognized as a foreign body by the immune system.
