Irish medical technology firm Medtronic has introduced an advanced SynergyTLIF workflow procedural solution for minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery.
The new workflow solution integrates the company's O-arm system imaging and StealthStation imaging guidance technologies to create a navigated minimally invasive procedure, helping to reduce intra-operative surgical steps.
It enables screw preparation through navigated Stealth-Midas drilling system, as well as interbody placement of the Elevate spinal system.
The SynergyTLIF workflow solution will also facilitate the placement of the CD Horizon(TM) Solera(TM) Voyager(TM) 4.75 and 5.5 ATS screws.
The new CD Horizon Solera Voyager 5.5 system is provided with percutaneous and mini-open rod insertion options to treat both degenerative and adult deformity conditions. It also features both cannulated and non-cannulated screw options.
The non-cannulated ATS screw allows to decrease the number of screw placement steps from nine to three, which is not possible with traditional pedicle screw placement.
SynergyTLIF workflow solution integrates Elevate spinal system's expandable cage technology that supports lordotic expansion as per the patient’s anatomy and sagittal alignment needs.
Medtronic restorative therapies group’s spine division president and senior vice president Doug King said: "This new workflow is another example of how our portfolio breadth enables us to transform spine outcomes for patients, surgeons, and hospitals.
"Patients are top of mind when we develop our state-of-the-art minimally invasive technologies, but creating operating room efficiencies is also at the forefront of our innovation."
In another development, Medtronic has secured approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy as adjunctive treatment to reduce the frequency of partial-onset seizures, in individuals 18 years of age or older who are refractory, or drug-resistant, to three or more antiepileptic medications.
DBS therapy for epilepsy is said to provide controlled electrical pulses to a target in the brain called the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT), which is part of a network involved in seizures.
Image: Medtronic operational headquarters. Photo: courtesy of Medtronic.