Launch of the InFix(reg) Anterior Lumbar Spacer System for Spinal Surgery

Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics
Article Date: 02 Jun 2004 - 20:00 PDT

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Spinal Concepts, Inc., an Abbott Laboratories company, today announced the launch of the InFix(reg) Anterior Lumbar Spacer System. InFix is the only anterior lumbar spacer available that is assembled in the patient during the surgical procedure, enabling the surgeon to closely restore the patient's anatomy and provide stability to the lower spine for improved patient outcomes. The innovative, patented design of the InFix device protects the patient's bone during the healing process.

"The advantages of the InFix system are that it has a large surface area for bone graft and the components fit anatomically within the disc space," said Richard Guyer, M.D., of the Texas Back Institute. "The system's modularity enables the surgeon to restore the correct height and lordosis, or curvature, of the patient's spine."

Dr. Guyer along with Reginald Davis, M.D., of the Baltimore Neurological Associates, and Bruce Fredrickson, M.D., of the State University of New York (SUNY), are key clinical investigators with an ongoing InFix clinical study.

"InFix demonstrates engineering elegance through simplicity, which benefits the patient because it restores the patient's anatomy, and benefits the surgeon because it is easy to implant," said Dr. Davis.

Four out of five adult Americans will suffer significant lower back pain at some point in life. It is estimated that more than 300,000 spinal fusion procedures are performed in the United States each year. Unlike the current anterior lumbar spacer designs on the market today, the InFix System enables surgeons to customize the implant to match the natural contours of individual patient's vertebrae and disc space.

"For 2004, the U.S. metal device fusion market is estimated at $315 million and continues to be a growing market segment," said Jeff Binder, president of Spinal Concepts. "The patented design of our InFix system is just one more example of Spinal Concepts' commitment to providing implant technology that can improve patient outcomes, reduce surgery time and costs, and simplify surgical procedures."

About Spinal Concepts

Spinal Concepts, a leading innovator of spinal implant technology, understands that spine surgeons value device simplicity. Spinal Concepts is recognized for providing simplicity through innovative engineering. Spinal Concepts' patented technology, intuitive implants and instruments, and knowledgeable sales representatives make it easier and more efficient for the operating team to prepare and implant spinal devices. Spinal Concepts was acquired by Abbott Laboratories in June 2003. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.spinalconcepts.com.

About Abbott Laboratories

Abbott Laboratories is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 55,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

http://www.abbott.com/news

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