Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy Synthes Spine debuts a pair of implants, gets into navigation
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) subsidiary DePuy Synthes Spine launched a new implant for stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion, a zero-profile plate for spinal fusion procedures, and announced its 1st venture into navigation.
The Raynham, Mass.-based division said its Synfix Evolution system provides superior biomechanical stability compared to other stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion implants. It combines a PEEK spacer with a titanium zero-profile plate and 4 divergent locking screws. The system increases surgical efficiency, reducing the number of instruments and increasing screw insertion speed, according to DePuy. It also features a thread lock sleeve that captures the screw to the screwdriver, preventing the screw from dislodging during surgery.
DePuy’s Zero-P Natural plate, designed to maintain stability and encourage bone growth in spinal fusion procedures in the neck, assembles with the CC Natural allogrant spacer outside of the operating field. The plate is anchored by 4 locking screws, which form a bone wedge for stability. A zero-profile product does not extend past the anterior wall of the vertebral body, limiting the risk of damage to vessels and adjacent soft tissue.
DePuy also teamed up with navigation leader BrainLab to develop an affordable visualization system. The Kick system with the FluoroExpress Software module is designed to provide real-time, intraoperative visuals of instruments and implants relative to patient anatomy to enable proper pedicle screw placement. The device uses a small infrared camera with a computer and a monitor and integrates with existing X-ray equipment. Ultimately, DePuy hopes its visualization device will lessen the number of X-rays surgeons have to take and subsequently lessen the patient’s radiation exposure.