Around 2000, Medtronic launched the Brian, the first-ever cervical disc prosthesis. From then, different products and designs appeared in this new market segment.
In recent years, its growth has been constant as an alternative to traditional cervical fusion surgery. This market is currently growing at a CAGR of 6% between 2022 and 2028. It is due to several factors, such as the growth of cervical degenerative pathology and the demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures driven by technology and design advancements.
During the first years, the large companies designed and launched a cervical disc prosthesis, thus covering this demand in their portfolio. However, some have consolidated their position and continue on the market, such as the Prodisc. C, Mobi-C, or M-6. Others have disappeared forever.
Yesterday we published about those still on the market (See article on 40 cervical disc prostheses). Today, we write about those that did not take off or have not achieved the necessary share to be profitable.
1.-ALTIA TDR-C
It was developed by Amedica. In October 2018 this Corporation was acquired by CTL Medical, a Dallas privately held medical device manufacturer. CTL Amedica does not include today any cervical disc prosthesis in its portfolio. ALTIA TDR-C was made of MC2 silicon nitride and according to the manufacturer, its advantages were:
- Made of MC2 silicon nitride
- Imaging compatible on X-ray and fluoro, with no CT or MRI artifacts
- Patented double saddle articulation geometry
- +/- 3 degrees of axial rotation
- 15° of flexion/extension
- Built-in soft-stop
2.- DISCOCERV
The Discocerv prosthesis was developed by the French company Scient’X acquired by Alphatec Spine in 2010. Recently, a few years ago, it was no longer commercialized.
Its properties were the following:
- Optimized design : Convex upper and lower plates to comply with the anatomical curvature of the disc space
- Security: Bi-directional grooves to avoid antero-posterior and lateral migration of the titanium plates
- Safe and Secure Implant:
- – Ceramic-on-ceramic bearing offers
- – Excellent biocompatibility
- – The lowest wear rate
- – Non-toxic wear particles
- – Prevention from osteolysis
- – Proven experience
- Mobility: Angulation of 9° in the sagittal and coronal planes to preserve the physiological amplitude of a normal disc
- Controlled movement: Perfect joining of the inferior and superior ceramic parts so as to facilitate prosthesis mobility
3.- DISCOVER®
The DISCOVER Artificial Cervical Intervertabral Disc arthroplasty from Depuy was an unconstrained cervical disc prosthesis. The device comprised titanium alloy endplates coated with porous titanium spray and hydroxyapatite, and a central ultra high molecular weight polyethylene articulating core. It is available in a range of sizes and thicknesses.
In December 2017, Centinel Spine acquired the worldwide assets of the prodisc® Total Disc Replacement portfolio from DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. This portfolio included prodisc® C and prodisc® L in the United States and prodisc® VIVO, prodisc® NOVA, prodisc ® C, prodisc® L, and prodisc® O, along with DISCOVER™ Cervical outside the United States.
4.-NUNEC®
In 2012, Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc., announces the successful implantation of 2,000 NuNec Cervical Disc Arthroplasty implants in the EMEA markets. NuNec was the first PEEK (PEEK-OPTIMA® polymer by Invibio®) cervical disc replacement (CDR) launched in Europe. The first NuNec implantation in the EMEA market occurred in Germany in November 2008.
At its core, the NuNec device featured a PEEK ball and socket articulation. The PEEK on PEEK design resulted in improved radiolucency and lower wear rates when compared to metal implants. The device utilized a unique CAM interference screw locking mechanism to provide immediate and primary fixation and the endplates were coated with hydroxyapatite.
In 2012, RTI Biologics® Announced an Agreement to Acquire Pioneer® Surgical Technology. RTI Surgical Holdings Inc. sold in 2020 its original equipment manufacturing business to a private equity firm Montagu Private Equity LLP.After the completion of the deal, RTI Surgical’s name changed to Surgalign Holdings Inc., Now, Surgalign does not include any product related to Motion preservation as the NuNec device.
5.-PHYSIODISC
The Physiodisc cervical disc prosthesis was part of the product portfolio of the company Kisco International. In 2021, in a deal with the Japanese company Otsuka, the manufacturer Teijin agreed to acquire KiSCO’s spine and trauma operations, to start February 2021. Teijin Nakashima does not include Physiodisc cervical in their portfolio.
PHYSIODISC was a cervical disc prosthesis made out of cobalt, chromium and polyethylene which according to the manufacturer restored disc height and ensured mobility between two vertebrae. Designed and manufactured by KISCO International, Physiodisc prostheses were associated with specific instruments and had 3 widths, 3 depths and 3 heights which allowed for a maximum coverage of the vertebral end-plates.
Benefits:
- The trapezoidal shape of the prosthesis allows it to protect the uncus.
- A disc prosthesis with controlled mobility
- Respects articulations. Restores physiological mobility.
- A large product line
- 3 widths, 3 depths, 3 heights. Allows for optimal coverage of the vertebral end-plates.
- Prosthesis supplied pre-assembled
- Facilitates set-up. Saves time. Secure implantation.Cobalt chromium and polyethyleneDependable friction torque.
###
We have updated this list with the Brochures, Surgical Techniques, and Videos available. We hope you find it useful and we appreciate and welcome any suggestions or comments. We may have missed some of the information or it may be inaccurate. In that case, we apologize for this. Please contact us and let us know.
All video parts, images, and documents related to the products are the sole property of the different companies. All the information is for Educational purposes only! No copyright infringement intended. We encourage you to contact us if you have any comments or suggestions or if you want us to include/remove your videos, images, or brochures. Please contact us at: [email protected]