Bone Harvesting Device to Reduce Post-Spinal Fusion Pain

A new, minimally invasive technique for collecting bone marrow cells from the hip to treat back pain is designed to reduce the hip pain that can follow spinal fusion surgery.

Spinal fusion surgery is used to relieve back pain caused by a damaged disc. In the accompanying traditional bone harvesting, surgeons remove bone material from a patient's hip area through a three- to five-inch incision. Studies have shown that complications follow 31% of these procedures and that 27% of patients continue to feel pain in the hip area as long as two years after surgery.

The new technique utilizes a device called Cellect, which employs a needle to collect bone marrow cells from the hip area and then processes the cells so they can be grafted onto the spine. This technique may result in fewer complications and also reduce hip pain. The Cellect aspiration needle extracts bone marrow through a tiny incision. The marrow is then placed into the Cellect System, which enriches the graft with an increased proportion of progenitor cells onto a special matrix through a patented process. The cells are then inserted into the spine operative area. The technology was developed by DePuy AcroMed (Raynham, MA, USA), in collaboration with The Cleveland Clinic Foundation (OH, USA).

"This new technology will also serve as a key platform for us as we develop other products that enhance spine surgery and improve the quality of life for the millions of people who suffer from painful spine and back conditions,” said Earl R. Fender, president of DePuy AcroMed, Inc.





Related Links:
DePuy AcroMed
Cleveland Clinic