ChoiceSpine Launces Pedicle Screw System

“Our goal this year in product management is to develop innovative spine systems that answer a need for surgeons to treat a variety of spine conditions,” said Anderson Collins, director of project management. “That said, we worked with our surgeon panel to address their needs for a system that could address post-traumatic spine instability where the adjacent spinal segments are basically normal. For patients with advanced scoliosis, deformity or the management of spinal trauma, a pedicle screw system such as ours can be life saving.”

The Starfire System was developed with the company’s surgeon panel and addresses three major points: strength and stability; intuitive instrumentation so the surgeon can quickly and easily march through the procedure; and a comprehensive set of top-loading polyaxial screw implants to address a variety of patient anatomies, including small and large-sized patients.

“The Starfire System is a big step forward in the growth of our company,” said Rick Henson, one of the company’s founders. “There are many pedicle screw systems on the market but we feel that our system is unique in terms of what product features it supplies to the surgeon. Surgeons look to companies that are innovative in their designs and offer thinking that is ‘outside the box.'”

Marty Altschuler, the firm’s other co-founder, looked at the benefits from a sales perspective.

“Now our distributors have an innovative spinal system in their bag to attract new business. This is how we are going to grow as a company. Not only will they be able to attract new surgeons to use this system, but other distributors across the country who want to work with the next “up and coming” spine company will find Choice Spine an attractive alternative,” he said.

Collins said the move sets his company up for a good year.

“Sales reps can only sell what’s available,” Collins said. “We have to provide them with innovative implant systems to answer the needs of their surgeons. We also have to be price competitive to keep up with the ongoing hospital demands to reduce the costs of spinal procedures. We believe that the Starfire System can gain traction in the field and be a star performer for the company.”

ChoiceSpine has been in business for six years and reported a 57 percent growth in sales last year. The company’s sales target for 2012 has increased with the Starfire Pedicle Screw System being launched and four more systems now in development.