Smart Disc successfully tests artificial spinal disc technology

Oct 14 2008

Smart Disc, Inc. announced today that it has conducted a cadaver test utilizing its unique artificial spinal disc technology and that the test was deemed a success by the surgeons involved.

The cadaver procedure took place at University of Toledo Medical Center and was deemed a successful implant.

"The Smart Disc replacement disc was inserted with ease," said Neville Alleyne, M.D., Director of the Orthopaedic Spine Center at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, California, and the lead clinician on the cadaver procedure. "We chose to insert the replacement disc into what we deemed to be the most difficult area of the subject's spine - a 2mm narrow disc space - and we had no problems placing the disc whatsoever. In fact, it was so easy to do, we believe we could have experienced the same positive result with removal of only 50% of the facet joint."

"We were encouraged to see firsthand how Smart Disc's spinal replacement disc for the spine potentially mimics the functionality of the patient's own intervertebral disc," said Vijay K. Goel, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Toledo, who was also present at the procedure. "Also significant is that this technology enables the surgeon to put the implant in place via a posterior application with relative ease. This eliminates the need to go through the front of the patient, as is the current standard practice in disc replacement."

The Smart Disc prosthesis is intended to maintain the normal movement between the vertebral bodies and prevent them from collapsing and thereby irritating or damaging the nerve root by maintaining the disc space height between the bones.

"This is a significant improvement for revision strategy," added Dr. Alleyne, "because the disc technology can also be converted to an interbody fusion device." Dr. Alleyne also added that the Smart Disc technology could be utilized equally well in a TLIF, XLIF or DLIF approach.

"This cadaver procedure is a significant step forward for Smart Disc," said M. Ross Simmonds, who sits on Smart Disc's Board of Directors. "We're now able to show in real time how Smart Disc can bring the surgical community a viable new alternative."