SpineGuard, a company that develops and markets disposable medical devices announced 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its new Dynamic Surgical Guidance (DSG) integration module to be used in combination with Zavation’s spinal fusion system to make its pedicle screws “smart.”
“This FDA clearance will allow U.S. spine surgeons to insert pedicle screws ‘with a DSG enabled device’ not only in just one step but also with confidence, hence further securing and streamlining the most commonly performed instrumented spinal procedure, fusion. We are thrilled to immediately begin supplying Zavation, our US partner, with our DSG integration module and look forward to working with our combined networks for the introduction of the first DSG-enabled pedicle screw in the US market,” says Pierre Jérôme, CEO and Co-founder of SpineGuard.
(Credit: SpineGuard)
A DSG-enabled screw is the unique combination of a bipolar sensor and a pedicle screw in just one device. The technology offers surgeons real-time guidance and the ability to insert the screw directly into a vertebra without drilling a pilot hole. In minimally invasive surgery, it also obviates the need for a k-wire.
The DSG sensor differentiates various tissue types (cancellous bone, cortical bone, blood and soft tissues) based on the analysis of the local electrical conductivity. Real-time feedback informs the surgeon of changes in tissue type by an audio signal varying in pitch and cadence. This in turn alerts the surgeon of potential breaches during pedicle screw placement and allows for screw redirection.
The outcome is a single-step pedicle screw insertion with a high degree of accuracy, reduced radiation exposure and streamlined surgical steps resulting in potential time and cost savings.
During the recent annual meeting of the North American Spine Society (NASS) in Boston, SpineGuard received an award from Orthopedics this Week recognizing the DSG Screw as one of the BEST new spine care technologies.
Another DSG-enabled SmartScrew co-developed with Neuro France Implants (La ville-aux-Clercs, France) is currently in alpha launch in Europe with seven surgeons having started to use the system.
“DSG enabled devices offer a new paradigm to pedicle screw manufacturers who wish to differentiate their products from the rank-and-file screws in the market today. We are extremely pleased that our first DSG-partner in the USA is Zavation, and we look forward to extending this technology platform to other players in the industry,” concludes Stéphane Bette, Co-founder, CTO and US General Manager of SpineGuard.
