Life Spine announced that the company has successfully completed initial cases with its LONGBOW expandable lateral spacer system.
The spacer system expands laterally (A/P) in-situ specifically for a direct lateral approach. It allows for maximum endplate coverage with minimal anterior to posterior retraction and potentially decreases nerve damage. Longbow also simplifies insertion of bone graft, up to 11cc, post expansion, according to the company.
In a press statement issued by Life Spine, Dr. Zeshan Hyder, an orthopedic spine surgeon at the Bone and Joint Specialists in Indiana, said the system provides the maximum amount of endplate coverage via expansion in-situ while reducing the amount of retraction nearly 50 percent by inserting the spacer in a collapsed position, leading to less pain and risk for his patients and overall better outcomes.
The expandable lateral spacer system is scheduled for limited release in the third quarter of 2016, with full product release expected later in the year.
Privately held Life Spine, based in Huntley, IL, is a medical device company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets products for the surgical treatment of spinal disorders.