Simplify Medical Announces 60th U.S. Patent for Cervical Disc Replacement Portfolio

Simplify Medical Pty Ltd., maker of the Simplify cervical artificial disc, today announced receipt of the company’s 60th U.S. patent.
 
The patent, entitled “Prosthetic Disc for Intervertebral Insertion” relates to a method for assembling a cervical disc replacement in which a mobile core is retained using Simplify’s proprietary core retention technology. Other recent patents include U.S. Patent No. 10,206,785, covering Simplify Medical’s proprietary methods for enhancing radiographic imaging of radiolucent implants, and U.S. Patent No. 10,166,113, relating to intervertebral discs with a movable core and additional core retention technology claims.
 
Cindy Lynch, vice president and general counsel, commented, “These latest patents strengthen our proprietary position and further protect the differentiated feature set of our uniquely cutting-edge cervical disc portfolio. Specifically, these latest patents extend protection around our mobile core retention technology, designed to achieve more anatomical motion.”
 
With these patents, Simplify’s IP portfolio now includes 19 U.S. patents related specifically to its proprietary core retention technology. Additionally, three patents with related claims have recently been allowed following a favorable opinion from the U.S. Patent Office Board of Appeals.
 
Simplify Medical CEO David Hovda commented, “We are confident that Simplify Medical has the largest and most impactful IP portfolio in the spine motion preservation space, and we continue to invest in our technology to improve ease of implantation and clinical performance.”
 
Simplify Disc is a motion-preserving cervical artificial disc designed to allow for advanced imaging capability of MRI, and to better match patients’ anatomies. It is composed of advanced, primarily non-metal materials (PEEK-on-ceramic) to permit the full diagnostic imaging capability of MRI and may eliminate the need for CT/Myelogram and CT imaging in order to minimize patient exposure to radiation.
 
The Simplify Disc is anatomically designed, offering a broader range of disc heights including low height implant options to better fit patients’ anatomies. With no metal in its articulating components, the disc is also designed for low levels of wear to optimize long-term durability. Implantation of the Simplify Disc is accomplished in a straightforward, three-step procedure.
 
Simplify Medical is a medical device company focused on cervical spinal disc arthroplasty, using MRI-compatible materials designed to decrease the need for ionizing radiation and enhance patient options. Simplify Medical is located in Sunnyvale, Calif. The Simplify Disc is an iInvestigational device limited by federal law to investigational use.