K2M, a spinal device company based in Leesburg, Va., expanded its line of minimally invasive device offerings and featured the technology at this year’s show. New from the company were the Terra Nova minimally invasive spine access system and the Serengeti disposable kit.
According to company officials, Terra Nova has the potential to minimize tissue disruption by using a small incision and muscle splitting technique. The innovative, low-profile retractor distractor blade locks down to the screws and provides the ability to hold distraction beneath the skin level throughout surgery. The spine-based blade creates a stable point of fixation, as well as direct visualization and access to the disc space.
Serengeti features a flexible polymer retractor that is captured under the cannulated screw head and placed with the screw for secure, screw-based retraction. The retractor provides simplified access to the hard-to-reach L5-S1 levels in the spine, as well as rod introduction for multi-level complex posterior instrumentation procedures. The disposable kit includes the retractors, pedicle access needles, guidewires, and the company’s Perfect Scalpel, which can be threaded over the guidewire to create small incisions just large enough to fit the retractor.