The posterior cervical fusion is a type of cervical fusion surgery, that accounts the 15% to the cervical devices market share. Although it is still an small segment of the overall Spinal market, it is growing due to the increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid and the rising aging population.
The estimated market value of the posterior cervical fusion is $350M and it is a quite attractive niche for most of the Spine Companies which have recently launched new Posterior Cervical Systems as Medtronic and Johnson&Johnson with the Integrity OCT and the Symphony systems.Other Companies are preparing new Posterior cervical Systems as Seaspine that expect to alpha launch a new posterior cervical OCT system called Northstar in the first half of 2020.
How many Devices compete in this market?
There are at least 40 different Posterior Cervical Devices (please visit: https://thespinemarketgroup.com/category/posterior-cervical/) but not all of them are OCT. Today, we have selected 10 Devices that we consider that either are state of the art products, recently launched or well proved and reliable devices:
1.- QUARTEX™ | Globus Medical
The QUARTEX™ Occipito-Cervico-Thoracic (OCT) Stabilization System offers a variety of solutions to the challenges associated with posterior OCT fusion to aid in easier construct assembly. With a comprehensive range of instruments, including threaded drivers and streamlined reduction tools, installation of implants is swift and simple in the midst of complex pathologies.
Benefits:
- Screw Head Capability: The QUARTEX™ screw head accepts a 3.5mm or 4.0mm rod and offers 90° of conical angulation.
- Refined Instruments: Stable threaded drivers, efficient reduction options and flexible tools facilitate construct assembly.
- True Thoracic Pedicle Screw Offerings: QUARTEX™ offers true thoracic screws with diameters up to 5.5mm, to accommodate varying patient anatomy with one comprehensive system.
2.-Infinity OCT System | Medtronic
The Infinity OCT System is used to immobilise and stabilise the spine while it fuses. The system features several innovative components—including a multi-axial screw with 60 degrees of angulation in any direction, a set screw (locking cap) with a quick-start thread to minimise cross threading, 3mm and 5.5mm diameter screws for expanded patient demographics and clinical applications.
The system has a full spectrum of implant materials and sizes.
3.-SYMPHONY System | Depuy Synthes
The SYMPHONY System was designed to improve fixation in patients with suboptimal bone quality, to address a potential cause of screw failure which may lead to revision surgery. By enabling crossing of the cervical to thoracic junction with one system, the SYMPHONY System reduces the number of instrument trays from six to two, which may provide cost savings in processing and sterilization as well.The system is one of the first posterior cervical systems to be offered with the option of sterile packed implants, which may also reduce processing costs.
The SYMPHONY System helps streamline procedures and create efficiencies for the surgeon and operating room staff who are treating patients with complex cervical spine disorders. Guided by research conducted in association with the International Spine Study Group, the SYMPHONY System is designed to improve surgeon experience in four key areas: fixation, alignment, targeting and extensions. The range of instrumentation offers options for surgeons to choose from and is compatible with navigation software to aid in targeting in challenging anatomy.
4.- Bridalveil OCT | Astura Medical
The Bridalveil Posterior Occipital Cervical Thoracic Fixation System is a comprehensive system designed to address the most complex posterior craniocervical, cervical, and thoracic anatomical challenges where spinal fixation is required. The intuitive design and breadth of implants and instruments ensures a seamless transition across multiple segments of the spine.
Designed with the most complex and demanding cases in mind, BRIDALVEIL OCT provides a comprehensive offering of screw options (single-lead, dual-lead, high-top, and smooth shank) ranging from 3.5mm to 5.5mm in diameter that are compatible with either a 3.5mm or 4.0mm rod in titanium or cobalt chrome. The system also provides an extensive line of connectors, transition rods, and instrumentation options to allow surgeons the ability to seamlessly transition across multiple segments of the spine.
5.-neon³™ | Ulrich Medical
neon³™ universal OCT spinal stabilization is a universal system for dorsal stabilization from the occiput to the upper thoracic spine. The system includes Polyaxial and cannulated screws and it is CAS-prepared.
Benefits:
- Universal system for all current placement techniques
- High stability level, from the occiput to the upper thoracic spine
- Safety provided for user and patient by cannulated screws and a navigation option
- Patient-protective, given the minimal invasive access technique
6.- Virage OCT | Zimmer Biomet
The Virage is an occipital-cervico-thoracic spinal fixation system that uses Zimmer’s 360 decrees Omnidirectional Extreme-Angle Screw to bring a new experience to posterior fixation surgery. All Virage System polyaxial dual-lead screws incorporate the 360 degrees Omnidirectional Extreme-Angle Screw technology allowing for 112 degrees of conical range of motion and simple rod alignment.
The system also includes the proprietary friction-fit screw head that holds the desired rod in position.
7.- S4® Cervical System | Aesculap
The S4 Cervical System offers maximum versatility through its wide range of implant selection and instrumentation to meet the special needs of the cervical and thoracic spine.By combining the exceptionally small, yet stable design of the screw construct with simple instrumentation, the S4Cervical System is a remarkably safe system for posterior column fixation. Small implant volume, overall biomechanical strength and easy access instruments help to achieve a fast and efficient surgical procedure with optimal patient outcome.
The S4® Cervical System combines high construct stability with minimal implant size. The miniature size of the implants and the instrument versatility meet the special demands of instrumented surgeries on the cervical spine. The S4® Cervical system is based on the mature S4® Spinal System technology. Various connecting options offer the combination of S4® Cervical with S4® Spinal System and therefore to the thoracolumbar spine.
8.- Tiger® | CoreLink Surgical
Tiger Occipital Cervical Thoracic provides a full complement of instrument and implant options that seamlessly integrate from occiput to thoracic spine and tie into Tiger Posterior Lumbar System.
Features:
- Broad range of occipital plate sizes with rotational and translational rod connection
- 3.5mm, 4.0mm, and 4.5mm screw diameters
- Biased angle cephalad/caudal, biased angle medial/lateral, and long shank screws
- Wide array of hook sizes
- Variety of transverse connectors designed to minimize potential interaction with spinal cord
- Connectability with thoraco-lumbar Tiger Spine System via rod-to-rod connectors or transitional rods
- Lateral offset connectors
- Multiple rod reduction options
- Cobalt Chrome and titanium rod offering in straight and pre-lordosed configurations
9.- Solanas® & Avalon® | Alphatec Spine
The SOLANAS® – Posterior Cervico-Thoracic Fixation System is designed for posterior surgical approaches, offering a comprehensive array of implants and instrumentation to meet surgeon needs.The Avalon® Occipital Fixation System provides surgeons a comprehensive posterior solution and seamless connection with the use of the Solanas® Posterior Cervico-Thoracic Fixation System. The innovative design allows surgeons to more accurately place and secure bone graft for superior fusion and to provide additional stability to the construct.
Benefits:
- Full array of hooks and connectors for use in complicated cervico-thoracic procedures
- Top-loading, top-tightening system simplifies surgical procedure
- Unique, buttress-thread closure mechanism helps prevent cross-threading
- Low profile, polyaxial screws offer up to 80° variability for increased surgical options
10.- Oasys System | Stryker
The Oasys System is an occipito-cervico-thoracic posterior system for spine surgery was developed to provide the surgeon with unsurpassed versatility for the treatment of pathologies of the occipitocervical junction and the posterior cervical and upper thoracic spine (occiput-T3). The modular system consists of hooks, polyaxial screws and rods as well as plates and bone screws. A variety of occiput connectors complement the product line.
Benefits:
- Biomechanical Strength to reduce risk of construct failure
- Optimized Alignment for fixation at every level and accommodate varying patient anatomy
- Intraoperative Solutions provide surgeons with greater freedom of choice while minimizing need for procedural adjustments