NuVasive, a medical device company, has announced the launch of its ALIF ACR (anterior lumbar interbody fusion – anterior column realignment) in the US.
The ALIF ACR procedure leverages the clinical history of anterior lumbar surgical access with an innovative implant design.
With built in 20-degree and 30-degree lordosis, four point fixation coupled by posterior fixation, the procedure may offer improved sagittal balance restoration capabilities with decreased complications and reduced morbidity.
The new product offers surgeons a familiar ALIF technique to increase alignment where 80% of sagittal balance exists, between L4 and S1. Sagittal plane imbalance results from advanced degeneration.
NuVasive global products and services president Pat Miles noted influenced by the initial success of XLIFACR, ALIF ACR provides a procedurally integrated solution to restore the natural anterior column while increasing foraminal height in the lower levels of the lumbar spine.
"Our efforts to address sagittal imbalance with unique techniques demonstrate NuVasive’s continued commitment to changing spine surgery with innovation," Miles added.
The ALIF technique is an accepted procedure for treating certain pathologies of the lumbar spine. Anterior approaches, like ALIF, obtain access to the disc space from the front of the spine.
ALIF’s surgical goal is to restore and maintain natural disc space and posterior foraminal height, indirectly decompress the neural elements, and introduce or restore proper sagittal and coronal alignment of the spinal column.
Image: Nuvasive launches ALIF ACR in US. Photo: Courtesy of NuVasive, Inc.