Alphatec Spine Launches Spinous Process Device

Alphatec Spine, Inc. is launching its BridgePoint Spinous Process Fixation System, a device designed to enable spine surgeons to immobilize and stabilize spinal segments without the need for pedicle screw and rod constructs.

Company officials say that this minimally invasive surgery (MIS) system is intended to be an adjunct to fusion of the thoracic and lumbar spine to treat disorders resulting from degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, tumor and trauma.

In describing the process they say that BridgePoint is designed to be implanted through a relatively small posterior incision of approximately 5cm in length, which should result in less injury to muscle and tissue and less blood loss than occurs when pedicle screw and rod systems are implanted through a non-MIS approach.

Officials explain that the BridgePoint System incorporates telescoping plates that allow surgeons to compress or distract the spinous processes before immobilizing the spinal segment. The device’s large contact area provides a strong anchor point to each spinous process, facilitating compression or distraction and optimal stability during the fusion process.

BridgePoint can be used as an adjunct to interbody fusion or posterior fusion with decompression treatment. The large bone graft window allows surgeons to pack additional bone graft between the spinous processes.

BridgePoint conducted its first implantation case in August 2012 at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The surgeon was Steven Beer, a board certified neurological surgeon. “I recently had a patient with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, and BridgePoint offered a way for me to treat her less invasively, ” said Beer in a August 23 press release.