Rockaway,
NJ – LinkSPINE, a company
focused upon simple, less invasive implants and techniques for spinal surgery, announced
today the first US implantation of the FacetLINK HEMI. The HEMI device is a low-profile
plate that cross connects a Transfacet pedicle screw on the ipsilateral side of
a Micro-Decompression to a Translaminar pedicle screw on the contralateral side.
It is designed to provide rigid bilateral fixation through a tissue sparing,
unilateral decompression approach.
Faheem Sandhu, MD, Professor
of Neurosurgery and Director of Spine Surgery at Medstar Georgetown Hospital,
performed the first US HEMI case at Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital in Clinton,
MD. “As a neurosurgeon focused on minimally invasive spine surgery, I will
often perform a microsurgical decompression through a unilateral approach and
use the ‘crossover technique’ to decompress the contralateral recess,” explains
Dr. Sandhu. “This approach enables me to address bilateral symptoms through a
small exposure and to keep the posterior ligamentous structures completely
intact. The HEMI’s ability to secure robust bilateral fixation through this
microsurgical decompression is an attractive feature to me. The patient is
doing great in the early post-operative period.”
Massimo
Calafiore, President of LinkSPINE states, “The FacetLINK platform is designed
to fit within the bounds of a surgeon’s preferred decompression exposure,
requiring no additional dissection beyond what was planned for the
decompression itself. The HEMI requires only two screws to secure a low profile
one level construct versus four screws which are needed when using conventional
pedicle screw instrumentation.”
Dennis
Farrell, VP of Marketing and Product Development, adds, “FacetLINK forms
the foundation of LinkSPINE’s “Midline Choice” implant platform. Additional
products are under development which will integrate with FacetLINK to provide
intra-operative flexibility when choosing less invasive stabilization construct
based upon patient pathology, anatomy, and surgeon preference. We will continue
to focus upon patient outcomes and surgeon feedback to guide our product
development efforts.”
FacetLINK HEMI is manufactured from titanium and is designed
for placement in the setting of a bilateral decompression through a unilateral
laminotomy. It is anchored with
Trans-articular Pedicle Screws that cross the facets, pin the joints, and
terminate at the base of the pedicle. A metal plate rigidly connects the
screws for additional stability.
The Facet-Link Stabilization Platform is intended to stabilize the spine
as an aid to fusion through immobilization of the facet joints. The system is
indicated for use with bone graft, at single or multiple levels, from L3 to S1
(inclusive). The Platform is indicated for the treatment of any or all of the
following:
1.
Spondylolisthesis.
2.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) as defined as back pain of discogenic
origin as confirmed by radiographic studies.
3.
Degeneration of the facets with instability.
For
more information about LinkSPINE, please e-mail pressrelease@linkspine.com or visit www.linkspine.com.
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