CoreLink buys Expanding Orthopedics and its expanding spinal fusion systems

Spinal implant systems maker CoreLink (St. Louis) said today that it has acquired the privately held Israeli medical device company Expanding Orthopedics and its FDA-cleared expanding and articulating FLXfit and FLXfit 15 titanium transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion systems.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Besides acquiring the FLXfit and FLXfit 15, the Expanding Orthopedics purchase also gives CoreLink a broad array of patents and in-development products related to expandable interbody and spinal fusion.

“This acquisition provides two key benefits for CoreLink and its customers: a very compelling offering in the growing expandable interbody product category and a portfolio of innovative intellectual property from which we can advance spine care,” Jay Bartling, CEO of CoreLink, said in a news release. “Combining these assets with CoreLink’s unique in-house design and manufacturing capabilities provides tremendous opportunities for us and our business partners.”

FLXfit 15 can be used in a minimally invasive surgery. Once in the disc space, it articulates to aid placement along the anterior aspect of the apophyseal ring, providing up to 40 mm of footprint length along this critical anterior column. It’s possible to expand the anterior height of the device an additional 4 mm to provide up to 15° of lordosis.

CoreLink plans to quickly incorporate system upgrades for a full commercial re-launch of the FLXfit and FLXfit 15 systems in the third quarter.

“This is an exciting time for product development at CoreLink,” said David Castleman, VP of research and development. “There is great opportunity here to leverage the [Expanding Orthopedics] expandable technology across several product categories, from other interbody applications to pedicle screw solutions.”