Surgical Immobilization System Facilitates Upper Spine Surgery

A novel surgical system immobilizes the thoracic and cervical spine during complex procedures and assists surgical navigation.

The Medtronic (Dublin, Ireland) Infinity Occipitocervical-Upper Thoracic (OCT) system is a complete procedural solution designed to create efficiency during fusions of the posterior cervical spine. Indications include degenerative disc disease, tumors, instability or deformity, and traumatic spinal fractures or dislocations. The system includes 3.0 mm and 5.5 mm diameter multi-axial screws with 60 degrees of angulation in all directions, and a set screw (or locking cap) with a quick-start thread to minimize cross threading; a full spectrum of implant materials and sizes are available.


When paired with the Medtronic O-arm Imaging System and the StealthStation Navigation System, the OCT can provide a fully-enabled procedural solution designed to bring efficiency and simplicity to even the most complex posterior cervical procedures, by providing three-dimensional (3D) views of the cervical anatomy, allowing precision placement of pedicle screws with enhance accuracy. Medtronic plans to merge the recently acquired Mazor Robotics digitally assisted spine surgery guidance systems with the OCT and other implants, navigation, and imaging products.

“For more than 35 years, Medtronic has partnered with leading spine surgeons to advance new technologies with the goal of improving patient outcomes,” said Doug King, senior vice president and president of the Medtronic's Spine division. “We engineered every component of the Infinity OCT System to perform efficiently during the most complex spine procedures, as well as to integrate seamlessly with our market-leading imaging and navigation technologies.”

“Some of our posterior cervical patients arrive in critical condition, and their lives depend on our surgical skills and the performance of the tools we use to treat them,” said neurosurgeon Greg Trost, MD, of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (Madison, USA). “With Infinity, I can focus on delivering the best patient care during complex procedures, knowing that every component was precisely-designed with modularity and versatility in mind.”