USPTO Awards Titan Spine Five New Patents

Titan Spine LLC, a medical device surface technology company focused on developing innovative spinal interbody fusion implants, recently was awarded five new patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. These patents relate to the design of the company’s Endoskeleton line of interbody devices as well as various aspects of composite devices featuring a combination of metal and polymer materials, such as polyetheretherketone (commonly known as PEEK).

The company claims it now has more than 40 patents in its portfolio and currently under review.

“The addition of these 13 patents in 2013 exemplifies our continued commitment to protect and broaden our intellectual property in the interbody fusion space,” said Kevin Gemas, president for Mequon, Wis.-based Titan Spine. “Several of these new patents extend to composite interbody device designs even though they do not align with our philosophy of the superiority of an interbody device constructed entirely of titanium. We made the decision to include them as part of our comprehensive IP (intellectual property) approach.”

According to Titan Spine officials, the company’s proprietary surface technology has been shown to promote a superior osteogenic (bone growth) environment when compared to smooth titanium or PEEK. This surface technology, which contains unique topographies at the macro, micro, and sub-micron levels, is featured on the company’s line of Endoskeleton interbody devices for the cervical and lumbar spine.

An additional aspect of the Endoskeleton design that is covered by one of these new patents is the presence of transverse and anterior/posterior windows optimized for strength, visualization of bone graft integration and loading of bone graft for improved fusion.

“All of our current and pending patents will continue to bolster our position among the ever expanding number of companies that are beginning to realize the importance of surface technology,” said Chad Patterson, director of Product Development and Operations for Titan Spine. “Our goal is to aid in faster patient recovery through advanced surface technology, implant design, and surgical technique methods.”

Titan Spine also has offices in Laichingen, Germany.