Spinal Elements, Inc. Announces Licensing of Essential Lateral Spinal Access and Implant Patents and 510(k) Product Clearance

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Spinal Elements, a spine technology company, today announced that they have licensed a portfolio of patents essential for accessing the lumbar spine from a lateral approach and placing implants from that approach. The lateral approach to the spine provides the potential for less disruptive, minimally invasive surgical (MIS) access techniques to address a variety of spinal pathologies.

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Minimally invasive spine surgery is a growing trend as more patients and surgeons seek ways to perform spinal fusions and other procedures that are less disruptive to the patients' anatomy and lives, enabling less time in the hospital for recovery and a more expedient return to daily function. The lateral spinal access procedure is a skill set that a growing number of surgeons are employing in their practices as they become trained on and comfortable with the techniques and expected outcomes for this procedure.

Spinal Elements plans to use this newly licensed technology to develop access systems and implants for introduction later in the year. The company recently received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market implants placed using the lateral access procedure. The clearance included the use of the company's Ti-Bond® porous titanium coating on such laterally-placed implants.

This follows the company's announcement last year of completing initial surgeries with its minimally invasive spine fixation system. That system will have a wider introduction this year as well.

Jason Blain, President and co-founder of Spinal Elements remarked, "We are glad to add this portfolio of patents as a resource from which we can expand our product offerings as we move to make Spinal Elements an innovative leader in the MIS spine access and implant market. Over the course of the year we have introduced and will continue to introduce new technologies to offer spine surgeons the most advanced technologies for their patients."

Todd Andres, CEO and co-founder of Spinal Elements, adds, "The licensing of these patents and development of these systems is congruent with our culture of respecting the intellectual property of those who innovated before us while also developing our own technology and intellectual property to advance the field."

The company recently expanded its corporate headquarters from approximately 8,500 square feet to over 40,000 square feet to accommodate its projected growth. The new headquarters with its expanding cadaver lab and training facilities was built specifically to address the future training needs demanded by the expanding MIS platforms.

About Spinal Elements

Spinal Elements, headquartered in Carlsbad, CA, is a spine technology company for spine surgeons who demand innovative, extremely high quality surgical solutions. From the company's early work which helped make PEEK commonplace throughout the spine industry to recent advancements in Ti-Bond® bioactive interbody implants and controlled delivery technology, Spinal Elements has built a reputation for being trustworthy, innovative and different. The company is focused on the development and marketing of progressive spinal treatment options and markets a complete portfolio of advanced spinal implant technologies. The company most recently launched its line of Lucent Ti-Bond products that feature a coating of plasma-sprayed titanium on PEEK interbody devices. Additionally the company distributes Hero® Allograft, the net proceeds from which are donated to charities benefitting children with life-threatening medical conditions. For more information, please visit www.spinalelements.com.

Media Contact: Laura Charlton (formerly Johnson) Spinal Elements, (760) 450-7749, laurajohnsonpr@yahoo.com

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SOURCE Spinal Elements