Signus Adds New Cervical Plating System

Signus Medizintechnik GmbH, an Alzenau, Germany-based spine device company, has expanded its cervical spine portfolio with the addition of the Ascot system. The system is made for anterior stabilization in interbody fusion, and has an integrated screw locking mechanism and a flat, semi-rigid plate design.

The flat and semi-rigid design is designed so that the system can adapt to biomechanical processes in the cervical spine enabling optimal fusion results. The design is meant to promote optimum load transfer to the bone and to prevent the stress-shielding effect, thus favoring the physiological stimulation of the bone (Wolff’s law, which states that bone in a healthy person or animal will adapt to the loads under which it is placed) whilst simultaneously preventing tissue irritations.

The angle variability of the screws, 10° in every direction, facilitates implantation, as the plate can thus adapt to the patient anatomy. An expansion ring integrated in the plate hole is activated when the screw is placed and effectively prevents the postoperative back-out. An additional surgical step is therefore unnecessary and the activated locking mechanism can be easily checked by the surgeon by way of visual inspection.

“Ascot is the result of our many years of experience and continuous advancement in the area of cervical solutions,” said Signus Managing Director Uwe Siedler. “It combines a proven, fusion-supporting design with a reliable locking mechanism, which efficiently prevents screw migration and is very easy and safe to use.”

Ascot offers a range of mono- and poly-segmental plates in order to fit different patients’ anatomies. The plates are designed with a narrow profile and generous fenestration in order to give the surgeon an unimpeded view of the intervertebral space during surgery, thus providing additional safety.