Medtronic Expands Option for the CD HorizonR Solera(TM) System

MEMPHIS, TENN., – July 19, 2012 – Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) today announced the initiation of the global launch of the CD HORIZONR SOLERA(TM) 5.5/6.0 System. This product launch is part of the CD HORIZONR family of fixation devices, designed to provide spinal stabilization and correction as an adjunct to fusion in patients suffering from painful and function-limiting disorders of the middle and lower back.
The CD HORIZONR SOLERA(TM) 5.5/6.0 System extends the capability of the CD HORIZONR SOLERA(TM) 4.75 System launched in 2011 and offers the surgeon the ability to customize the spinal construct to match the patients’ needs by offering an implant system that accommodates two diameter spinal rods and an array of materials.  Spinal construct customization allows for targeted applications ranging from high demand spinal surgical cases such as adult deformity, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and tumor/trauma cases to lower demand degenerative spinal conditions.
“By leveraging the full CD HORIZON SOLERA(TM) System, spinal pathologies and patient factors can be treated with less inventory than the typical spinal implant system,” says Doug King, Senior Vice President, President of Medtronic Spinal. “This innovation now accommodates multiple spinal rod dimensions and materials with two implant platforms which provide an additional variety of options to meet unique patient needs.” 
The CD HORIZONR SOLERA(TM) System is designed to work with the POWEREASE(TM) System, an innovative system of powered instruments designed for drilling, tapping, and driving screws and working end attachments during spinal surgery, including open and minimally invasive.
Medtronic’s CD HORIZONR SOLERA(TM) Spinal System is Medtronic’s latest innovative spinal fusion system and is cleared to treat patients with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, fracture, dislocation, failed previous fusions, tumors and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).  With more than twenty-five years clinical experience and 500,000 patients treated with the CD HORIZONR product line, the CD HORIZONR SOLERA(TM) Spinal System offers the combination of lower profile pedicle screw implants and performance. Notably, the system accommodates multiple rod material options and gives surgeons and hospitals an array of choices to treat a diverse set of spinal conditions.
Risks associated with such a system include loosening, disassembly, bending, and/or breakage of components, fracture, microfracture, resorption, damage, or penetration of any spinal bone.  Selection of the proper size, shape, and design of the implant for each patient is crucial to its safe use.  A successful result is not always achieved in every surgical case.  The safety and effectiveness of this device has not been established for use as part of a growing rod construct when used in pediatric cases, and is only intended to be used when definitive fusion is being performed at all instrumented levels.