Next-Generation Artificial Cervical Discs Successfully Implanted

03-Sep-2004

U.K.-based Pearsalls Limited nnounced the first successful implantations of their novel artificial cervical disc in three patients at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, U.K. The Pearsalls Cervical Disc, also known as the NeoDisc(TM), is a composite of an elastomeric core encapsulated by a textile structure, and is designed to mimic the biomechanical properties of the natural disc.

The surgeries were performed by Dr. Andre Jackowski, a co-inventor of the device. Dr. Jackowski expressed his complete satisfaction with how the implantations had gone to date. "All three patients were doing extremely well following the implantation of this next generation of artificial disc implants," he said. "The device behaved at surgery very much like a natural disc. It was quite a contrast to mechanical disc replacements that I have performed. The operations were straightforward, quick and required no complex or virtuoso techniques."

Artificial disc replacements are expected by many to be the most successful product class in recent medical device history. First generation products are expected to begin commercialization in the U.S. markets in the fourth quarter of 2004.

"The achievement of this milestone in the development of the Pearsalls Cervical Disc represents the culmination of years of research, resulting in a superior technology for the patient and surgeon," commented Lawson Lyon, Managing Director of Pearsalls. "We will continue clinical trials here in Europe, while preparing for pivotal trials in the U.S."

The Pearsalls Cervical Disc is the first of a series of products enabled by Pearsalls' platform technology, focused on highly engineered matrices of fibres positioned with computer controlled embroidery that encourage the propagation of biological tissue. Future products include an artificial lumbar disc and a family of non-fusion devices developed from the same core technology.

Pearsalls is privately owned by AMI Holdings, Inc. a portfolio company of RoundTable HealthCare Partners of Lake Forest, IL, U.S.A.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/39420/next-generation-artificial-cervical-discs-successfully-implanted.html