The company is now launching the product throughout Europe.
The Compact Cornerstone-SR Alliance cage is compatible with existing spinal instrumentation and, according to the company, gives surgeons a variety of implant options for different patient anatomies. The technology leverages knowledge the company gained as a result of Medtronic's 2012 acquisition of German manufacturer Advanced Medical Technologies. New features include: four titanium fixation spikes, beveled edge and side chamber. Compact Cornerstone-SR and Compact Cornerstone-SR Alliance are available for use across Europe. The implants are not yet available in the United States.
Cervical cages are implants used to treat patients who suffer from a disc disease that affects the neck (cervical spine). When a spinal disc is diseased, it can shrink from its normal height, putting pressure on nerves and causing pain in the neck and arms. Compact Cornerstone-SR Alliance implant is designed to provide stability during spinal fusion, which involves joining two bones together, such as adjacent vertebrae. There are more than 44,000 cervical fusion procedures to relieve compression on the spinal cord or nerve roots performed in Europe each year.
"Anterior cervical spine surgeries remain commonplace, and it's important to bring innovation to this market," said Steve Swinson, Medtronic's vice president Spinal & Biologics Western Europe and Canada. "With the addition of the Cornerstone-SR Alliance cage to our cervical Interbody platform, Medtronic continues to answer the surgeon and hospital needs of today."
The Compact Cornerstone-SR and Compact Cornerstone-SR Alliance are available in a variety of widths, heights and geometrics for adaptability to patient anatomy. The cages' hollow design allows for in situ packing with autograft or synthetic bone substitute.
Medtronic Inc. is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn.