Globus Medical has announced the launch of LATIS, a minimally-invasive lumbar interbody fusion spacer for patients suffering from degenerative disc disease. The implant may be inserted through a minimally-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) approach and expands laterally to provide a footprint and graft volume equivalent to an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) spacer or lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) spacer.
The spacer provides, according to the company, a large stable footprint and a substantial graft window. This can have benefits typical of an ALIF or LLIF spacer, without requiring anterior access or nerve monitoring, and allows for direct decompression of nerve roots via the MIS TLIF approach. The 10mm-wide titanium implant can be inserted posteriorly and can expand in situ up to 26mm square, offering the largest single bone graft chamber for any posterior implant on the market.
According to a company press release, the spacer is designed to reduce subsidence and migration, and has a locking set screw that secures deployment at any position within the expansion range.
The LATIS system includes customised disc preparation and sizing instruments. The system includes a variety of footprints, heights, and lordotic configurations, for a customised fit for each patient. A single instrument is used for insertion, expansion, locking, and bone graft delivery.
“This new addition to our minimally invasive portfolio is the first expandable implant on the market to offer the benefits of a traditional anterior implant, without the two-part disruptive surgical procedure. Combined with posterior stabilisation using our Revolve minimally-invasive pedicle screw system, the entire procedure is designed and intended to maximise preservation of the stabilising muscles of the lower back,” commented Andrew Lott, senior vice president, Global Product Development.
Indications
LATIS spacers, according to the company, are interbody fusion devices intended for use in patients with degenerative disc disease at one or two contiguous levels of the lumbosacral spine (L2-S1). Degenerative disc disease is defined as discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies. These patients should be skeletally mature and have had at least six months of non-operative treatment. In addition, these patients may have up to grade 1 spondylolisthesis or retrolisthesis at the involved level(s). LATIS spacers are to be filled with autogenous bone graft material. These devices are intended to be used with supplemental fixation.
