US-based spine technology company Spinal Elements have licensed a portfolio of patents necessary for accessing the lumbar spine from a lateral approach and placing implants from that approach.
The lateral approach to the spine offer potential for less disruptive, minimally invasive surgical (MIS) access techniques to address various spinal pathologies.
Spinal Elements plans to utilize the licensed technology to develop access systems and implants for introduction later in the year.
The company recently received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration to market implants placed using the lateral access procedure. The clearance included the use of the company's Ti-Bond porous titanium coating on such laterally-placed implants.
Spinal Elements president and co-founder Jason Blain said, "Over the course of the year we have introduced and will continue to introduce new technologies to offer spine surgeons the most advanced technologies for their patients."
Spinal Elements CEO and co-founder Todd Andres said, "The licensing of these patents and development of these systems is congruent with our culture of respecting the intellectual property of those who innovated before us while also developing our own technology and intellectual property to advance the field."
The company has recently expanded its corporate headquarters from about 8,500ft2 to over 40,000ft2 to accomodate its projected growth.
Image: Spinal Elements Greatly Expands Corporate Headquarters. Photo: Courtesy of PRNewswire/Spinal Elements).