Globus Medical has launched its new minimally invasive fully articulating expandable spacer for spinal fusion – ALTERA. Designed for restoring lordosis and maintaining sagittal balance while reducing the challenges of insertion, the spacer is inserted at a minimised height, articulated into an anterior position, and then expanded vertically to optimise fit.
A Globus Medical press release states that ALTERA delivers the benefits of minimised insertion height, continuous expansion and optimised fit. The company says that because of the articulation into anterior placement and the option for eight degrees or 15 degrees profile angles, ALTERA optimises lordosis compared to standard static transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion crescent-shaped spacers. ALTERA also allows for in-situ delivery of autogenous bone graft into, as well as around, the implant after it has been expanded.
“The steerable articulation and vertical expansion of ALTERA, tailoring lumbar balance and proper posture without the need for successive trialling, is a game-changer. The ability to completely pack the expanded graft window through a separate port creates optimal fusion conditions,” comments Paul K Kim, neurosurgeon at Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates. Globus Medical is currently showcasing ALTERA at the North American Spine Society (NASS) Annual Meeting, being held in San Francisco, USA.
