10.21.14
Medtronic Inc. has launched the Divergence anterior cervical fusion system in the United States. The device treats single-level cervical disc disease.
According to the company, the Divergence System offers a new approach to one-level anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) procedures, which traditionally use a four-hole plate and interbody fusion cage. With the DIVERGENCE system, the plate and interbody cage can be inserted simultaneously using a common set of instrumentation and one surgical technique. Traditional cervical fusion surgery requires a two-step insertion technique for the plate and interbody cage, and each implant requires its own set of instruments and its own surgical technique.
The system also incorporates a laterally-divergent screw insertion technique, which requires less retraction compared to the traditional medially-convergent screw insertion techniques used with other anterior cervical plating systems, Medtronic claims.
A 2013 study published in The Spine Journal concluded that ACDF patients with plates placed less than 5 mm from the adjacent level disc have statistically significant increases in the frequency and severity of adjacent-level ossification disease (ALOD), a condition in which osteophytes (bone spurs) develop at the adjacent level and may become symptomatic. The article also demonstrated that short plates allow for increased screw angulation, longer screw placement, reduced incision size, minimized dissection of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) and limited encroachment by the plate on adjacent-level discs. The Divergence system plates are offered in relatively short lengths of 15.5mm to 20.5mm, and are designed for use with hyper-angulated screw insertion techniques.
“Physicians and patients will benefit from having access to these low-profile implants and an insertion technique that makes the ACDF procedure more efficient for the surgeon and less invasive for the patient,” said Doug King, president of the spinal business and senior vice president at Medtronic.
Medtronic is a medical device maker based in Minneapolis, Minn.
According to the company, the Divergence System offers a new approach to one-level anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) procedures, which traditionally use a four-hole plate and interbody fusion cage. With the DIVERGENCE system, the plate and interbody cage can be inserted simultaneously using a common set of instrumentation and one surgical technique. Traditional cervical fusion surgery requires a two-step insertion technique for the plate and interbody cage, and each implant requires its own set of instruments and its own surgical technique.
The system also incorporates a laterally-divergent screw insertion technique, which requires less retraction compared to the traditional medially-convergent screw insertion techniques used with other anterior cervical plating systems, Medtronic claims.
A 2013 study published in The Spine Journal concluded that ACDF patients with plates placed less than 5 mm from the adjacent level disc have statistically significant increases in the frequency and severity of adjacent-level ossification disease (ALOD), a condition in which osteophytes (bone spurs) develop at the adjacent level and may become symptomatic. The article also demonstrated that short plates allow for increased screw angulation, longer screw placement, reduced incision size, minimized dissection of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) and limited encroachment by the plate on adjacent-level discs. The Divergence system plates are offered in relatively short lengths of 15.5mm to 20.5mm, and are designed for use with hyper-angulated screw insertion techniques.
“Physicians and patients will benefit from having access to these low-profile implants and an insertion technique that makes the ACDF procedure more efficient for the surgeon and less invasive for the patient,” said Doug King, president of the spinal business and senior vice president at Medtronic.
Medtronic is a medical device maker based in Minneapolis, Minn.