Lanx, Inc. has been granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the company’s Aspen MIS Fusion System technology. The patent number is 8241330.
Lanx’s Aspen MIS System Is Granted Patent
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An August 14 company press release stated that the technology is currently being used to support posterolateral fusions (PLF) and interbody fusions (PLIF, TLIF, ALIF and LLIF), with data demonstrating fixation strength and stability comparable to pedicle screw constructs. Additional clinical experience will be highlighted at the upcoming Western Neurosurgical Society meeting in September and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Annual Meeting in October.
Over 1, 000 surgeons have used the system worldwide since 2007 to treat degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal trauma or spinal tumors, according to the company.
The device features proprietary spiked fixation plates designed to be rigidly affixed to the spinous process with the use of streamlined surgical instrumentation. Its unique central barrel allows the implant to share weight with the fixation plates while restoring foraminal height, and also serves as a bone graft containment chamber to promote fusion. In addition, the device features an offset shape for optimized anatomical fit.
Company CEO Dan Gladney said the patent shows the value that the company’s research and development team have brought to the field of spine care. “With over 25, 000 implantations to date, we are pleased that the advanced engineering and design of the technology has been formally recognized. This is an important addition to our current patent portfolio and we expect additional patents to be granted in the future. We believe the patent granted today will support our competitive advantage as we introduce new innovations for spinal fixation and fusion, with a particular focus on less invasive treatment options like the Aspen system.”
Smaller Incision, Less Trauma, Less Blood Loss, Less Time
Robert Tatsumi, M.D., of Pacific Spine Specialists, Tualatin, Oregon, said, “Clinical data continues to substantiate the versatility and minimally invasive nature of the Aspen device, which I have seen firsthand in my practice. For many patients who require spinal fusion, the Aspen device provides robust stabilization and promotes fusion while requiring a smaller incision, less muscle trauma, less blood loss, a shorter surgery time and shorter recovery time than standard pedicle screw instrumentation.”
Lanx is privately held and was founded in 2003 in Broomfield, Colorado.
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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