Here are the best new spine surgery technologies for 2024 Gold Medal Winners.
Every year Orthopedics This Week convenes a panel of top surgeons to review dozens of new technology submissions from around the world.
This award was inaugurated more than a decade ago to recognize the inventors, engineering teams, surgeons and their companies who have created the most innovative, enduring, and practical products to treat back care.
To win the Orthopedics This Week Best New Technology Award for spine care, a new technology must score highly for each of the following criteria:
- Be creative and innovative.
- Bring long term significance to treating spine pathologies. Does this technology have staying power?
- Solve a current clinical problem.
- Improve standard of care
- Be cost effective?
- Members of the judges panel would consider personally using it.
We received a record number of submissions for 2024.
Here are the judges for this year’s awards.
The Judges
Peter Derman, M.D.
Dr. Peter Derman, a minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute, an honors graduate from Stanford University after completing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. He received his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and concurrently obtained a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business. Dr. Derman attended the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York for his residency and completed his Fellowship in Spine Surgery from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.
While at Stanford University, Dr. Derman competed as a Varsity Gymnast and was a 3-Time All-American on Rings.
Dr. Derman is a key surgeon opinion leader and dedicated physician-researcher, exploring ways to better medicine for future generations.
Stephen Hochschuler, M.D.
Co-founder and chairman of the board of the Texas Back Institute, Stephen Hochschuler, M.D., is one of the spine surgeons who helped create the modern practice of spine surgery.
A graduate of Columbia College in New York, Dr. Hochschuler received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completed internship and residency at Boston City Hospital followed by orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas.
Dr. Hochschuler began his private practice since 1977 and taught at the University of Texas Health and Science Center Southwestern Medical School. He founded and mentored dozens of medical companies.
Dr. Hochschuler is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; the American Pain Society; North American Spine Society; the International Intradiscal Therapy Society; the International Society for Minimal Intervention in Spinal Surgery; the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine; and is a founding board member of the Spinal Arthroplasty Society. He is also founding board member of The American Board of Spine Surgery and The American College of Spine Surgery.
Isaac Moss, M.D.
Dr. Moss is Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Co-Director of University of Connecticut’s Comprehensive Spine Center. Dr. Moss is a fellowship trained spine surgeon at the UConn Musculoskeletal Institute. Dr. Moss completed residency training in the renowned University of Toronto orthopedic program, where he was awarded the Lawson Family Post Graduate Fellowship as the department’s top graduate. After residency, Dr. Moss received specialized training in advanced spinal and scoliosis surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Moss’s clinical interest is in both spinal degeneration and deformity and MIS.
Dr. Moss’s master’s degree is in biomedical engineering. He has received many awards and scholarships for his contributions to cutting edge research for novel biologic therapies for intervertebral disc degeneration. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and the Orthopedic Research Society.
Kris Radcliff, M.D.
Dr. Kris Radcliff is an internationally recogized spine surgery thought leader, full professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, an honors graduate from Harvard College, a graduate of Duke University’s School of Medicie on a prestigious Dean’s Tuition Scholarship, a Baylor College of Medicine resident and, before founding the Spinal DISC center, Dr. Radcliff was a spine surgery fellow at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute.
Dr. Radcliff has served as a principal investigator in multiple clinical trials and authored or co-authored 76 peer-reviewed publications, 22 textbook chapters on the diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions, and has won numerous research awards. Dr. Radcliff regularly teaches other surgeons at national and international meetings.
Juan Uribe, M.D.
Juan Uribe, M.D., is Chief of the Division of Spinal Disorders, Volker K. H. Sonntag Chair for Spine Research, and Vice Chairman of Neurosurgery at Barrow Neurological Institute. He was named President and Chair of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of Spine and the Peripheral Nerves in 2024. Dr. Uribe’s expertise includes the surgical treatment of scoliosis, spinal trauma, herniated thoracic disc, and spinal tumors, particularly with minimally invasive spine surgery. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, North American Spine Society, Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Society of Lateral Access Surgery, and Scoliosis Research Society.
Dr. Uribe earned his medical degree from Kris Ra in Colombia, where he also completed a residency in neurosurgery at Hospital San Vicente de Paul. He also completed a neurosurgery residency at the University of South Florida and a spine surgery fellowship at the University of Miami.
Michael Wang, M.D., M.B.A.
Michael Y. Wang, M.D., FACS is Chief of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Hospital Spine Neurosurgery Fellowship Director and Professor with Tenure, Departments of Neurosurgery and Rehab Medicine. Dr. Wang earned both his BS and MD degrees from Stanford University. He completed his residency at the University of Southern California and Fellowship at the University of Miami. He was Spine Program Director and Spine Fellowship Director at the USC. In 2007 he moved to South Florida and the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine.
Dr. Wang has served on numerous AANS committees including Chair of the Committees on Publications, Education, Fellowship, and Exhibits, Scientific Program Chair, Annual Meeting Chair, Treasurer, and Chair. For CNS he served as Membership and Public Relations Chair. He has held many leadership roles at such surgeon societies as Society of University Neurosurgeons (SUNS), North American Spine Society (NASS), International Society for the Advancement of Spinal Surgery (ISASS), Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS), the USA Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society, and the International Spine Study Group (ISSG). Dr. Wang has edited 12 medical textbooks and authored over 600 publications in the medical literature, over 200 of which are peer-reviewed.
Best New Spine Surgery Technologies: GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
(In Alphabetical Order by Company Name)
ComboSpine
Winning Technology: DEX360™
Inventors: Dr. Joshua Ammerman, Jim Duncan, Laurent Schaller, Spencer Jones Engineers: Jim Duncan, Laurent Schaller
How it Improves Spine Surgery: A critical step in spinal fusion is the preparation of the disc space by removing disc material and scraping cartilage from the vertebral endplates. DEX360 is designed to achieve more complete disc removal and endplate preparation via two shaver blades that rotate 360 degrees on parallel planes, minimizing instrument passes. The sterile, single-use shaver head is paired with a surface-treated titanium footprint-expanding interbody implant. The entire platform comes in a compact, single tray that eliminates two to four pans per surgery. DEX360 is designed to create a large, uniform and reproducible cavity in the disc space, and the implant’s endplate contact surface area increases by over 75% when deployed (compared to the insertion profile) to resist subsidence. The technology is estimated to save surgeons 10 to 20 minutes per surgery on disc preparation and implant deployment.
Website: https://www.combospine.com/
Cresco Spine
Winning Technology: Spring Distraction System
Inventors: René Castelein, Moyo Kruyt
How it Improves Spine Surgery: With a continuous, dynamic distraction force, the Spring Distraction System (SDS) guides and stimulates the spine and trunk towards normal growth without additional interventions. The growing rod system “revolutionizes” the treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS), offering single-surgery intervention, while significantly lowering the complication rate by two-thirds in comparison to other growth-friendly systems. SDSTM consists of a standard posterior pedicle screw and CoCr rod system with proprietary functional adjuncts. Titanium Helical Springs provide continuous and dynamic distraction forces to the spine, while frictionless sliding along the rods is provided by a proprietary Axial Sliding Bearing, which consists of a titanium housing and UHMWPE lining.
Website: https://www.cresco-spine.com/
Medacta International
Winning Technology: NextAR Rod Optimizer (OptiRod)
Inventors: Brian Nielsen, M.D., Lionel Metz, M.D., Ali Ozturk, M.D., Francesco Siccardi, Meinrad Fiechter, Massimiliano Bernardoni / Engineers: Denny Sindoni, Giuliano Lamberto, Pascal Wettmann, Matteo Conti
How it Improves Spine Surgery: The NextAR Rod Optimizer (OptiRod) eliminates the need for manual rod-bending, reduces breakage risk and potential revision surgery. No more custom-made rods, preoperative imaging, production and waiting time.
After screw implantation, OptiRod detects screw entry points and applies rod optimization, without the need for previous navigation or imaging. Used as a stand-alone application or with NextAR’s Navigation platform, OptiRod contains 16 distinctive rod curvatures available in 5.5 and 6.0mm diameters, with both CoCr and Ti alloy material options. The rods include small/medium/large statures, low/medium/high PI lumbar curvatures and multiple thoracic rod angles from 0 to 60 degrees.
Its tracking system consists of a disposable target attached to the anatomical region of interest and a disposable camera attached to the instrument. The target communicates with the camera then data is transferred via Bluetooth to a computer where the software registers screw entry points.
Website: https://nextar.medacta.com/
Medcura, Inc.
Winning Technology: LifeGel™ Absorbable Hemostatic Gel
Inventors: Dr. Matthew Dowling / Engineers: Dr. Matthew Dowling, Dr. John Barry, Brandon Wallace
How it Improves Spine Surgery: LifeGel, a new flowable hemostat going through the FDA regulatory process, and has received FDA Breakthrough Designation, is a novel hemostatic agent which employs hydrophobically modified chitosan, cross-linked gelatin granules, and water to affect a rapid and effective hemostasis without swelling thus reducing risk of swelling-related complications. The new material achieves hemostasis mechanically by coating the bleeding site via mucoadhesion.
Disclaimer: LifeGel is still undergoing development and FDA review. All intended uses and/or indications for use for the device and its application tips have not been cleared or approved by the FDA.
If successful with the FDA, Medcura believes that LifeGel will be cost effective, ready-to-use and will have the added benefits of chitosan’s antimicrobial properties. Medcura’s FDA Breakthrough Designation for LifeGel is specific to procedures where swelling cannot be tolerated.
Website: https://www.medcurainc.com/about
Medical Metrics Diagnostics, Inc.
Winning Technology: SpineCAMP™
Inventors: John A. Hipp, Ph.D.; Patrick S. Newman, MS; Trevor F. Grieco, Ph.D.; James Ziegler, Ph.D. / Engineers: Patrick S. Newman, MS; Trevor F. Grieco, Ph.D.; James Ziegler, Ph.D.; Carroll Vance, BS; Kaitlyn Robinson, BS; Riley Strom, BS
How it Improves Spine Surgery: Medical Metrics’ SpineCAMP is an FDA 510(k)-cleared clinical decision support software powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. It revolutionizes the analysis of spinal X-ray images by providing precise, objective metrics related to spinal stability and alignment.
SpineCAMP visualizes intervertebral motion using a proprietary image registration method called “stabilization,” seamlessly integrating comprehensive X-ray measurements into the clinical workflow. This fully automated platform segments spinal anatomy, registers and labels vertebral bodies, identifies femoral heads, and calculates global, regional, and segmental parameters—all based on Medical Metrics’ proprietary Quantitative Motion Analysis (QMA®).
With customizable metric reporting, SpineCAMP can characterize and assess spinal stability, alignment, degeneration, fusion, motion preservation, and implant performance. These detailed reports augment and support clinical decisions, streamline prior authorization processes, and enhance patient care.
Website: www.spinecamp.ai
Renovos Biologics Limited
Winning Technology: RENOVITE® BMP-2
Inventors: Prof. Jon Dawson, Dr. Agnieszka Janeczek, Prof. Richard Oreffo
How it Improves Spine Surgery For improved bone tissue formation, RENOVITE® BMP-2 is a bone morphogenic protein embedded in an injectable and biodegradable nanoclay that spontaneously forms a stable gel in the body by interlocking with proteins present in blood. As well as providing a local environment that promotes cellular ingrowth, the bone-inducing morphogenetic protein-2 templates bone formation. RENOVITE BMP-2 presents a novel mechanism of action based on retention of BMP-2 rather than a burst or slow release via diffusion, localizing BMP2 at the target site of repair, limiting exposure only to invading cells, mitigating its effects to a tightly controlled area, reducing inflammation, and prolonging BMP2 half-life thereby increasing safety and efficacy.
Website: https://www.renovos.co.uk/
SAIL Fusion
Winning Technology: BowTie ™ SI Fusion System
Inventors / Engineers: David Jansen, Benjamin Arnold, Ivet Avalos, Brian Bowman
How it Improves Spine Surgery: SAIL Fusion’s BowTie sacroiliac joint fusion system applies AO fusion principles to the SI joint. BowTie and its surgical technique enable “true and robust” SI arthrodesis by adhering to the key AO surgical goals of minimal tissue disruption, thorough joint preparation, and rigid fixation. In contrast, traditional systems utilize a lateral approach to the joint that favors stabilization rather than true arthrodesis since it leaves the fusion-inhibiting synovium intact, company officials said.
The BowTie joins the ilium to the sacrum through a bowtie design that resists motion in all planes while further enhancing rigidity with integrated iliac and transfixation screws that are unique to the SI fusion market. It is implanted through a posterior-inferior approach that minimizes tissue disruption and allows thorough decortication of the joint. BowTie is the result of surgeon interviews indicating 88% preferred an AO approach, and 80% were dissatisfied with current lateral systems, according to the company.
Website: https://sailspine.com/
SurGenTec®
Winning Technology: TiLink™ Sacroiliac fusion system
Inventor: Travis Greenhalgh / Engineer: Bryan Hellriegel and Richard Sharp
How it Improves Spine Surgery The traditional approach to fusing the sacroiliac joint uses a lateral implant/approach which comes with its own set of risks and downfalls. The TiLink SI fusion system was designed to provide posterior fixation with combined compression to help facilitate fusion via the posterior approach.
The goal? To minimize risk and provide the joint with the greatest potential for fusion. The system includes two implants that act as one once assembled, and a compression anchor resists all forces of the SI joint including shear, compression/distraction and nutation/counternutation.
The anchor has a distinct function in causing a significant compressive force which will aid in bone healing and stabilization while the screw portion resists numerous forces and acts as a point of fixation and fusion to prevent back out of the anchor.
Website: https://www.surgentec.com/
Theradaptive
Winning Technology: OsteoAdapt™ SP
Inventors / Engineers: Luis Alvarez, David Stewart, Hyeon Park, Todd Heil
How it Improves Spine Surgery Spinal fusion relies upon robust union of consecutive vertebrae for durable outcomes. Traditional grafts are often not potent enough to predictably create fusion, which led to the development, several decades ago, of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), a very potent bone forming molecule. BMP-2 use has become widespread, but suffers several significant drawbacks, notably side effects secondary to dosing issues, and the migration of the protein away from the target site.
Theradaptive has developed a novel protein called AMP2 (Adhesive Variant of BMP-2) that is a significantly improved version of BMP-2. AMP2 was designed to optimize the potency of BMP-2 while adding new functionality to confer ultra-high affinity to specific materials such as ceramics and metals. This enables very stable tethering of AMP2 to implants and grafts and reduces side effects by delivering the protein with precision and persistence that is unlike any currently available bone graft products. Based on its performance to date Theradaptive’s AMP2 is projected to become the best-in-class bone graft in spine, orthopedics, sports medicine and dental.
Theradaptive’s first product, OsteoAdapt™ SP, combines AMP2 with an electrospun synthetic bone void filling material that is pre-loaded at the required dose, significantly improving the user experience as well as the safety profile. This streamlines the surgical process and reduces operative time, benefiting the patient through quicker, safter, and more efficacious procedures and a reduced risk of complications.
(*AMP2 OsteoAdapt™ is being evaluated in clinical trials and is not yet approved by the FDA.)
Website: https://www.theradaptive.com/
X-Bolt Orthopedics, Inc.
Winning Technology: DragonBolt™ expandable pedicle screw
Inventors: Brian Thornes / Engineers: Eoghan Jennings, Sinead Deely, Phil Kemp
How it Improves Spine Surgery: The rate of screw loosening in non-augmented pedicle screws and cement leakage in augmented fixation is above 20%. The DragonBolt addresses these issues. It is a pull out resistant, mechanically reversible, expandable pedicle fixation anchor designed for osteoporotic and revision surgery applications.
DragonBolt features a proximally threaded section for secure pedicle anchorage and an expandable portion for vertebral body fixation. It’s made from Grade 23 Titanium alloy with Type 2 anodization and can include a hydroxyapatite coating to enhance biological fixation.
DragonBolt features a polyaxial tulip-head design, adaptable to most existing polyaxial designs. A torque-limiting screwdriver is used for insertion, followed by expansion with the same tool along with a counter-torque instrument. Once expanded, the DragonBolt remains rotationally stable, and upon insertion provides the surgeon with haptic feedback regarding anchorage and bone quality.
Website: https://www.x-bolt.com/
