DePuy Synthes unveiled its new VIPER PRIME™ System during this week’s EUROSPINE 2017 congress in Dublin, Ireland. The company describes the product as an innovative, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) pedicle screw designed to simplify MIS spinal fusion surgery.
Background
Minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery is gaining popularity thanks to evidence that it may help improve outcomes when performing surgery through a smaller skin incision. This is because there is less trauma to surrounding soft tissue, reduced blood loss during operation, and potentially a faster recovery for patients. However, as MIS spinal fusion procedures become more common, there is a need to simplify these procedures and overcome clinical challenges associated with the current technology.
DePuy Synthes, part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies tells us VIPER PRIME reduces the number of instruments needed, the number of instrument passes and the number of steps required to insert a percutaneous screw utilizing a minimally invasive technique.
By combining all the pedicle preparation instruments into one single tool, the VIPER PRIME System eliminates the need for guidewires, Jamshidi needles and additional pedicle preparation instruments. In one bench study, the VIPER PRIME System demonstrated a 33 percent reduction in the time required to insert a pedicle screw compared to traditional MIS techniques.
DePuy Synthes tells us VIPER PRIME is being introduced to health care professionals in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region during educational and industry events. Full EMEA commercial availability is expected in early 2018.
Clinician comments
“I find the VIPER PRIME System easy and straightforward and I look forward to using it again for my future spinal fusion cases,” said Dr Kavakebi, an early user of the system from University Hospital Innsbruck, Austria.
Dr. Bordon from Hospital Manises, Valencia, Spain, who conducted the first surgery with the system in Europe concludes, “My OR team were very positive about the ease of assembly and the low footprint of the new system, that led to a more organized operating room.”
Company comments
“As a leader in pedicle screw technology, we have a responsibility to continue to innovate ways to make spinal fusion surgery less invasive for patients and less complicated for surgeons,” said Nadav Tomer, Global Platform Leader, DePuy Synthes Spine.
Jordy Winters, DePuy Synthes Spine EMEA Lead said, “The VIPER® System has more than ten years of clinical heritage and this introduction of VIPER PRIME is our latest example of how we are providing differentiated technologies that simplify spine surgery, making it more reproducible for every surgeon while improving patient outcomes.”
Source: DePuy Synthes Spine
published: October 12, 2017 in: Congresses and Meetings, DePuy, Launches / Withdrawals, Spine