Alphatec Spine Launches Battalion Lateral System with Squadron Retractor

Alphatec Spine Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphatec Holdings Inc., has launched its new Battalion Lateral System with the Alphatec Squadron Lateral Retractor, and successfully completed initial patient surgeries including degenerative, multilevel and L4/L5 spinal segment cases. With the launch of the Battalion Lateral System, the company believes it is well-positioned to begin to compete in the $500 million U.S. lateral market.
 
“The launch of Battalion Lateral represents a significant milestone for Alphatec, opening up new commercial opportunities for us.  With this launch, we are now able to compete in the MIS Lateral market—one of the fastest growing markets in spine,” said Terry Rich, Alphatec Spine’s CEO. “The Battalion Lateral System includes our proprietary Squadron Retractor that is designed to enhance the surgeon’s experience and improve clinical outcomes. Early feedback from surgeon customers has been very positive regarding the system performance, differentiated feature set and ability to successfully treat even the most complex patient cases with a minimally invasive approach. The launch of Battalion Lateral also enables Alphatec to access new distributors with strong surgeon relationships in the Lateral space. We look forward to expanding into this new market and increasing surgeon adoption.”
 
The Battalion Lateral System with the Alphatec Squadron Lateral Retractor provides surgeons with a next-generation Lateral system with unique functionality designed to improve clinical outcomes by reducing tissue creep, minimizing psoas retraction time, and achieving alignment and fusion objectives. The Battalion Lateral System includes numerous proprietary features, including the Squadron Lateral Retractor. The system is designed to allow surgeons to customize the access to match the patient’s unique anatomy through independent retraction of the cranial/caudal blades, DepthControl technology that provides in-situ height adjustment for the low-profile blades, and LevelToe mechanics to ensure that the blades maintain a parallel plane when toed up to 15 degrees.  The Squadron Retractor is also fully compatible with most neuromonitoring platforms enabling access safely through the psoas. The Battalion Lateral Spacer is available in 0 degree and 15 degree lordosis with a variety of width and height options for lumbar and thoracic approaches as well as angled and offset instrumentation to provide access to the L4/L5 segment.
 
“Alphatec’s Battalion Lateral System provides great options for accessing and preparing the space via the retractor, but the retractor itself completes the procedure,” said Dr. Frank K. Kuwamura, a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon in San Antonio, Texas. “The ability to independently raise and lower blades to accommodate the anatomy really separates this retractor from other retractors available on the market.  It saves time in the psoas and that supports better patient outcomes.” 

Kuwamura was one of the first surgeons to use the system and completed the case with Alphatec’s Illico percutaneous pedicle screws. The patient had a previous fusion and had developed adjacent disc disease.
 
Michael E. Russell II, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in Tyler, Texas, was also one of the first surgeons to use the Battalion Lateral System in a clinical setting. He used the system to perform a Lateral procedure at L3/L4 and instrumented posteriorly using Alphatec’s Arsenal Spinal Fixation System. The Squadron Lateral Retractor allowed Russell to access the disc space from an offset trajectory. “The Squadron Retractor enabled me to attach to multiple attachment points giving me the flexibility to use my preferred Lateral technique,” he said. “The combination of the level toeing and the ability to lower the low-profile blades individually allowed me to successfully navigate osteophytes without the need for blade extenders.” 
 
The Battalion Lateral System features a full array of access and disc preparation instrumentation in straight, angled, and offset orientations. The system is recommended for use with the Arsenal Spinal Fixation System or the Illico MIS Posterior Fixation System. The Battalion Lateral implant is also cleared for use with both autograft and allograft biologic materials.
 
Alphatec Spine designs, develops, and markets spinal fusion technology products and solutions for the treatment of spinal disorders associated with disease and degeneration, congenital deformities and trauma. The Carlsbad, Calif.-based company markets products in the United States via independent sales agents and a direct sales force.