Impliant Conducts the First Two Implantations of Its New TOPS VersaLink Spinal System
October 09 2009 - 7:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Impliant, Inc., a developer
of novel motion-sparing alternatives to traditional spinal fusion
surgery, announced today that it conducted the first two
implantations of its TOPS VersaLink System, the newest addition to
its product portfolio. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080527/NETU060LOGO ) The
system is comprised of the company's flagship TOPS(TM) Total
Posterior Arthroplasty device, a motion-sparing posterior implant
designed to treat moderate to severe lumbar stenosis with or
without spondylolisthesis and facet arthrosis, attached to the
company's recently-developed VersaLink Fixation System(TM). By
combining the two devices, the TOPS VersaLink System allows the
surgeon to treat different stages of spinal degeneration at two or
more adjacent vertebral segments. Surgical treatment of patients
with advanced multi-level spinal degeneration has traditionally
consisted of a fusion device that spans all of the diseased
segments following decompression of the patient's pain generators.
However, the TOPS(TM) portion of the TOPS VersaLink System restores
near-normal motion to its segment and may thereby reduce the
potential for adjacent segment degeneration that may accompany
conventional fusion-only constructs. The first case was conducted
by Mr. John Sutcliffe at the London Clinic Medical Center in
London, England. "I was impressed with the simplicity of the
system. Implantation was very easy and straightforward," commented
Mr. Sutcliffe. "VersaLink is a logical next step in the evolution
of the TOPS(TM) System. It gives me the ability to address a larger
array of patients in my practice, and I fully expect to achieve
similar clinical results that I have enjoyed thus far with
Impliant's original TOPS(TM) device." Mr. Sutcliffe's comments were
echoed by Dr. Robert Hes and Dr. Bart Conix, who together performed
the second surgery at the Middelheim Hospital in Antwerp, Belgium.
"It is a very elegant system. We are excited by the flexibility
that VersaLink gives us in treating our patients," remarked Dr.
Hes. "We are pleased to add the VersaLink System to our product
line," said Todd Potokar, President and CEO of Impliant. "It allows
us to expand beyond treating single-level spinal stenosis and opens
the door for us to help patients with a much wider range of spinal
pathology. The versatility of the system will even allow us to
compete in the fusion market as a unique stand-alone fusion
device." About the TOPS(TM) System Impliant's TOPS(TM) System, a
mobile posterior device, is designed to stabilize but not fuse the
L3-4 or L4-5 vertebral level to alleviate pain stemming from spinal
stenosis with or without degenerative facet arthrosis and
spondylolisthesis. Following a laminectomy and medial facetectomy,
the device is affixed to the spine via four pedicle screws using a
standard posterior surgical approach. Impliant believes that the
TOPS(TM) System could benefit over 500,000 patients worldwide
undergoing spinal fusion surgery each year. The TOPS(TM) System is
currently not approved for sale in the United States. About the
VersaLink Fixation System The VersaLink Fixation System(TM) is a
bilateral titanium lumbar fusion system that is designed to be used
in conjunction with a titanium crossbar as a stand-alone fusion
device. It is also designed to connect above or below the company's
flagship TOPS(TM) device as a hybrid construct. The VersaLink
Fixation System(TM) is intended to treat patients with a broad
range of spinal pathologies including degenerative disc disease
(DDD), disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, and
spondylolisthesis. The VersaLink Fixation System(TM) has received
CE Mark approval but is currently not approved for sale in the
United States. About Impliant, Inc. Impliant, Inc. is a
privately-held company engaged in the development of novel spine
arthroplasty solutions for some of the most prevalent pathologies
of the spine. The company's flagship product is the TOPS(TM)
System, which has the longest clinical history in the Total
Posterior Arthroplasty market segment, dating to January 2005.
Impliant is also developing the VersaLink Fixation System, the
TOPS-SP System, and several other next-generation and multi-level
technologies to further increase its addressable market. Impliant
is headquartered in Princeton, NJ with research facilities located
in Ramat Poleg, Israel. Shareholders include Elron Electronic
Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq & TASE: ELRN). For more information
about Impliant, please visit http://www.impliant.com/.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080527/NETU060LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Impliant, Inc. CONTACT:
Todd Potokar, President & CEO, , or Ronnie Levy, COO &
General Manager, , both of Impliant, Inc., +1-609-779-6800 Web
Site: http://www.impliant.com/
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