Infinity Occipitocervical-Upper Thoracic System Launched

Medtronic plc has announced the U.S. launch of the Infinity Occipitocervical-Upper Thoracic (OCT) System which is designed to simplify posterior cervical spine surgery.

According to the company, “The system has a full spectrum of implant materials and sizes—and when paired with the O-arm Imaging System and StealthStation Navigation System—provides a fully-enabled procedural solution designed to bring efficiency and simplicity to even the most complex posterior cervical procedures.”

“The Infinity OCT System is indicated for certain conditions including degenerative disc disease, instability or deformity, tumors, and traumatic spinal fractures or traumatic dislocations. Spine trauma can sometimes result in a spinal cord injury.”

“September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month and according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the 2016 annual incidence of spinal cord injuries in the U.S. was approximately 54 cases per million people, or about 17,000 cases per year.”

“Some of our posterior cervical patients arrive in critical condition and their lives depend on our surgical skills and the performance of the tools we use to treat them,” said Dr. Greg Trost, neurosurgeon at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin.

“With Infinity, I can focus on delivering the best patient care during complex procedures knowing that every component was precisely-designed with modularity and versatility in mind. And an integrated procedural solution with Stealth navigation and Infinity was game-changing as a 3D-view of the anatomy allows me the precision to place pedicle screws with confidence and accuracy.”

Julie Willard, product specialist at Medtronic, told OTW, “The Infinity system features several innovative components—including a multi-axial screw with 60 degrees of angulation in any direction, a set screw with a quick-start thread to minimize cross threading, and 3.0mm and 5.5mm diameter screws for expanded patient demographics and clinical applications. The screw also features friction fit saddles that main position during rod placement.”

“Medtronic received 510k clearance August 21, 2017. After building up inventory to launch at scale, the first clinical use in the United States was May 23, 2018. We announced the U.S. launch of the Infinity System at NASS [North AmericanSpine Society], and we will roll it out to other geographies over the next year.”

“Bottom line—the Infinity System has implants designed for easy construct connections, the right tools for small spaces, and is fully integrated with our StealthStation navigation and O-arm imaging systems.”