Intrinsic Therapeutics, a developer of lumbar spine anulus closure devices, has enrolled the first patient in a randomized clinical trial of its Barricaid device.

Barricaid is designed to prevent reherniations following lumbar discectomy, while allowing the surgeon to retain as much of the native nucleus as possible preserving normal disc height and biomechanics.

Barricaid accomplishes this by providing the added security of a bone-anchored device that can be used to close larger anular defects or in cases where anular integrity is in question.

Principal investigator at Middelheim Robert Hes said Barricaid allows for a limited discectomy while offering the potential for secure closure of the anular defect and a reduction in both the risk of recurrent disc herniation and disc height loss.

Intrinsic president and CEO Greg Lambrecht said Intrinsic is enrolling up to 800 patients in a prospective, randomized, superiority study comparing Barricaid to traditional limited discectomy.

"We are excited to start the trial and prove that Barricaid is a superior alternative for patients suffering from symptomatic, herniated discs," Lambrecht said.

"Because so very many patients undergo surgical treatment of herniated discs, we believe a large number of patients stand to benefit from the technology."