Titan Spine Technologies
Mequon, Wisconsin and Laichingen, Germany-based Titan Spine is a privately held surface technology company that specializes in the development and marketing of spinal interbody fusion devices. Titan markets its line of interbody devices with proprietary textured surface in Europe, Australia, and the United States.
Interbody implants are spacers that are surgically placed in between vertebrae to allow for the bone fusion process while simultaneously relieving nerve pressure and holding the vertebrae in place during healing.
From 2008 to 2018, Titan Spine grew at a rate of more than 40% per year. During this time period, more than 70,000 of Titan’s devices were implanted and it received more than 50 patents. Titan’s revenue had grown to $63 million as of 2018.
Titan Spine’s technology portfolio includes its nanoLOCK® implants, the only FDA-cleared spinal nanotechnology. These surface-enhanced titanium implants are designed to have nanoscopic features similar to natural bone, to promote increased healing after spinal surgical procedures requiring fusion.
Titan Spine’s next generation interbody devices feature:
- Large windows and internal volumes that provide for significant bone graft packing, desired bone graft loading, clear CT and MRI visualization, and the potential for multi-directional bone growth.
- Endplate sparing design (no ridges or teeth) that does not damage the vertebral endplate. This yields increased resistance to subsidence.
- Large footprints that allow the implants to reside on the apophyseal ring, which further resists subsidence.
- Radiopaque nature of titanium that assists in placing the device in the desired location.
- Large variety of sizes to accommodate various patient anatomies.
Titan Spine’s nanotextured interbody devices have been found to be conducive to bone growth. In 2014, Titan Spine’s nanoLOCK technology received the Whitecloud Award for best basic science from the Scoliosis Research Society. This technology and its promotion of osteogenic and angiogenic growth factors during bone fusion has been found to be evidenced based in a variety of medical journal studies, including those published by:
- The Spine Journal
- Acta Biomateriala
- Spine
- International Journal of Spine Surgery
- The American Journal of Orthopedics
- Frontiers of Bioengineering and Biotechnology
- Journal of Biomedical Materila Research
Company Executives Excited About Acquisition
With its acquisition, Medtronic will acquire Titan Spine’s extensive portfolio of surface-enhanced titanium interbody fusion devices. These spinal technology products will round out Medtronic’s already large portfolio of medical devices.
Sharrolyn Transfeldt Josse, vice president and general manager of Core Spine for Medtronic said, “We’re excited about bringing the Titan Spine team—and their full line of titanium, surface-enhanced interbody fusion devices—into our Medtronic family. Titan Spine shares Medtronic’s commitment of putting patients first and to championing technology that adds value and advances patient outcomes.”
Transfeldt Josse continued, “Spine surgeons are showing a strong interest in surface-enhanced titanium implants for spinal fusion procedures. While Medtronic has a limited titanium interbody device offering, acquiring Titan Spine’s innovative and comprehensive portfolio will enable us to better meet the needs of our customers and patients.”
