Lanx Study Shows Positive Fusion Rates for Spine Device

Lanx Inc., a Broomfield, Colo.-based medical device company focused on devices for spinal surgery, has released new clinical data demonstrating a 94 percent fusion rate and positive clinical outcomes achieved with the Aspen MIS (minimally invasive spine) Fusion System. This, according to the company, provides further evidence that minimally invasive spinous process fixation offers effective stabilization to promote fusion and pain reduction. The data were presented at the Western Neurosurgical Society annual meeting held September 7-10 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“These data help substantiate the clinical equivalency of the Aspen system to traditional pedicle screws in promoting fusion, a finding that is widely supported by surgeon experience,” said Dan Gladney, CEO of Lanx. “The Aspen device was developed to be a minimally invasive alternative to pedicle screws in the appropriate cases, allowing surgeons to best tailor fusion procedures to patients’ needs, and we are encouraged by continued research supporting the positive outcomes achieved with the system.”

Presented by Amir Vokshoor, M.D., of the Institute of Neurosurgical Innovation in Marina del Rey, Calif., the study evaluated 85 consecutive patients who underwent lumbar fusion with the Aspen system. An independent radiologist used post-operative computed tomography imaging to assess posterior fusion, as well as interbody fusion when applicable, and found it was successfully achieved in 94 percent of patients. Additionally, pain reduction was evaluated using visual analog scale values measured pre-operatively and post-operatively for up to two years, with findings demonstrating a clinically and statistically significant improvement from an average score of 6.5/10 pre-operatively to 2.9/10 within three months following surgery. This level of improvement was maintained throughout the follow-up period.

The Aspen system currently is used in a wide range of surgical applications including posterior lumbar fusions and interbody fusions (posterior, transforaminal, anterior and lateral) for the treatment of degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal trauma or spinal tumor.

Photo courtesy of Lanx Inc.