DePuy Rolls Out New Products at NASS

The DePuy Synthes Spine unit of Johnson & Johnson showcased a few new product launches during the annual meeting of the North American Spine Society’s 27th annual meeting in Dallas, Texas. The company released its ACIS Anterior Cervical Interbody Spacer System, which set of spacers and instrumentation for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The company also launched the Spotlight PL Access System (photo at left), which the firm claims is the first access system designed specifically for minimally invasive posterior-lateral fusion.

ACIS System spacers are offered in three axial footprints (12.5, 14 or 16 millimeter widths), eight heights (5-12 millimeters) and three sagittal profiles (lordotic, parallel or convex) to accommodate individual patient anatomy and surgical techniques. The spacers are made of PEEK Optima (polyetheretherketone) radiolucent material and feature a large axial lumen to maximize the area for packing autogenous bone graft and enable fusion to occur through the spacer, according to the company. The ACIS system is intended for use with supplemental fixation.

“The ACIS system is very comprehensive and user friendly, especially with the shorter instruments, which are easier to use under the scope. The three different spacer sizes provide a good option for all patients and all levels. The larger lumen and the ability to insert large amounts of graft material is very important for adequate fusion and stability,” said Ali Chahlavi, M.D., a neurosurgeon at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla., and a consultant to DePuy Spine.

The Spotlight system includes a set of retractors of various lengths with integrated fiber optic lighting and decortication instruments, all of which are designed for use with the company’s Viper 3D MIS Correction Set.

“This new retractor delivers the benefits of a minimally invasive approach to posterior lateral fusion. Spotlight PL System provides excellent visibility and allows me to perform up to a four level posterior lateral fusion through only one incision,” according to Amer Samdani, M.D., a physician Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia, Pa., and also a paid consultant to the company.

Posterior-lateral fusion, a procedure where surgeons place graft material along the sides of the vertebrae to stimulate bone growth and promote fusion, is used to treat conditions including degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, scoliosis and other complex spinal deformities.

“The Spotlight PL Access System will enable surgeons to provide patients with a less-invasive alternative to traditional surgery,” said Namal Nawana, worldwide president of DePuy Synthes Spine. “We will continue to bring meaningful innovation to minimally invasive spine surgery with evidence-based procedural solutions that are intuitive, easy to adopt and have an ability to be integrated with proven technologies.”

Raynham, Mass.-based DePuy Synthes Spine was formed earlier this year following Johnson & Johnson’s nearly $20 billion purchase of Switzerland-based trauma company Synthes.