Novel Instrument for Spine Surgery

A new surgical instrument called the insulated pedicle access system, or I-PAS, is for use in determining the safe percutaneous approach pathway of a pedicle screw prior to its implantation.

The I-PAS is designed for use in conjunction with the nerve-avoidance software of NuVasive, Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA), called NeuroVision. Performing a dynamic test gives a surgeon constant feedback about the proximity of surrounding nerves in the screw's pathway, allowing a safe approach into the vertebral body and avoiding the needle to allow a subsequent implant, such as NuVasive's SpheRx DBR, to pass safely over the guide wire into the pedicle. NuVasive said this is the first percutaneous and dynamic neurophysiology system on the market to continuously monitor and alleviate the risk of neurologic injury. The added detection offered by I-PAS also allows for less fluoroscopy during surgery, which is beneficial to both surgeon and patient.

"We believe I-PAS provides surgeons with a substantial tool to increase the safety of the procedure while adding intra-operative efficiency,” noted Alexis V. Lukianov, chairman and CEO of NuVasive. "The launch of I-PAS is consistent with our vertical integration strategy of providing products that increase penetration of our MAS platform among spine surgeons.”

The MAS platform combines three products: NeuroVision, the nerve-avoidance system; MaXcess, a split-blade design retraction system; and specialized implants, such as SpheRx and CoRoent, which collectively minimize soft tissue disruption during spine surgery.




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