An American surgeon, William D. Smith, M.D., has successfully installed a total disc replacement device in a patient at the American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Cyprus. This represented the first in-human surgery using Dymicron, Inc.’s Triadyme-C cervical total disc replacement.
First Triadyme Cervical Disc Implanted
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“The patients are responding well to the implantation of the Dymicron devices, ” said Smith, chairman of AIMIS Spine Center and Chief of Neurosurgery for the University Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. “The Triadyme-C is unique in its composition and design, most notably for its diamond compact. This design may place Dymicron as a front runner in cervical total disc replacement (TDR) devices in a time when research has shown cervical TDR is often superior to fusion.”
There are two primary concerns in the disc replacement field, according to Dymicron officials. One is the minimization of wear debris and the copying of the natural motion in the spine.
Dymicron claims that its “biocompatible Orthopedic Diamond material is made of polycrystalline diamond compact, one of the hardest and most durable substances known to man. With extreme durability and a low coefficient of friction, officials believe that Triadyme-C resists the structural breakdown that can release dangerous wear debris into the body.”
The company’s proprietary tri-lobe technology “features an articulation mechanism made of three spherical lobes seated within three non-congruent, spherical pockets. Officials state that the motion of the three lobes within their associated pockets generates a smooth, gentle centering force that emulates the natural motion of the spine.”
“We are extremely pleased that we have successfully completed our first in-man procedures. Based on our unique technology and design, we’re confident that the Triadyme-C will become a preferred option for patients suffering from cervical degenerative disc disease, ” said Dymicron President Jeff Bennett.
The company is scheduled to start clinical studies in the third quarter 2015, following the successful completion of the first in-human procedures, in England, Germany and South Africa.
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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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