Facetectomy Device Assists Interbody Spinal Fusion

A novel disposable instrument allows surgeons to perform rapid and safe facetectomies when performing interbody spinal fusion procedures.

The iO-Tome device is intended for use in spinal fusion procedure based on iO-Flex technology, which was developed for use in direct lumbar decompressions. The iO-Tome incorporates a microblade shaver for rapid and precise removal of the facet joint, creating a window at the treatment level that provides direct visualization of the neural structures, and clear access to the disc for placement of the selected interbody implant.


The device is especially helpful in procedures where the surgeon is trying to minimize the exposure size, such as in midline fusion techniques that require a facetectomy. The iO-Tome device is a product of Baxano Surgical (San Jose, CA, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“The iO-Tome represents a tremendous step forward into the fusion market for Baxano,” said Tony Recupero, president and CEO of Baxano Surgical. “The development of an efficient instrument that has the potential to save substantial OR time, provide reproducible results, and is compatible with emerging spinal fusion technologies further highlights the capabilities of our core 'inside-out' technology platform.”

“One of the more technically challenging steps of a less invasive fusion procedure such as a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is performing a good facetectomy,” commented Robert Isaacs, MD, a neurosurgeon from Durham (NC, USA). “This new instrument can change this step to be simple, fast, safe, and repeatable in all hands and could reduce the learning curve significantly.”

A facetectomy is an invasive decompression procedure for removing neural compression caused by facet disease, which is the gradual breakdown of the cartilaginous components of the vertebral joints. Facet joints are found on either side of each vertebra where the inferior articular process of one vertebra meets the superior articular process of the vertebra beneath it. Once the joint cartilage wears away, bone spurs can develop and painfully compress nearby spinal nerves, requiring a facetectomy to remove the portions of the joint that are causing the compression.

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