J&J’s DePuy Synthes Launches Implant for Degenerative Disc Disease, But How Does It Compare to Conventional Spinal Surgery?

The CONCORDE LIFT Implant is being launched in the US by Johnson & Johnson orthopedic subsidiary DePuy Synthes, as a new way to treat patients with degenerative disc disease. The device is part of the company’s new UNLEASH minimally invasive surgery transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) system which claims to enhance surgical efficiency.

The CONCORDE LIFT Implant works by acting as a spacer between two vertebrae in the spine after a degenerative disc has been removed. In this way, the device repairs the height imbalance between vertebrae to effectively treat degenerative disc disease.

Conventional open spine surgery carries much of the same risks as other invasive procedures, such as blood loss and slower recovery times. In contrast, minimally invasive spinal surgery can help to reduce the risk of complications like muscular damage and pain, while helping patients to recover from the procedure more quickly.

According to a study published in BioMed Research International, a minimally invasive approach to spinal surgery could account for about half of all procedures performed by the year 2020. However, DePuy acknowledges that this type of surgery carries with it a steep learning curve, which could be why some surgeons still rely on conventional open back surgical methods.

“I’ve had the privilege of performing one of the first cases of spinal fusion surgery using the CONCORDE LIFT Implant in the United States and have been very happy with what I have been able to achieve using this device,” said Dr. John Hall, Spine and Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon, and Consultant to DePuy Synthes Spine. “I believe that being able to access the disc through a small space and then controllably expanding the cage to fill the disc space allowed me to achieve a reliable fusion.”

But DePuy’s new surgical solution makes use of more than just the CONCORDE LIFT Implant; the CONCORDE Clear MIS Discectomy Device and the VIPER PRIME System are included to help simplify the minimally invasive procedure.

First, the orthopedic surgeon uses the CONCORDE Clear MIS Discectomy Device – a single-use tool – to remove a patient’s degenerative disc. According to DePuy, this device can increase the amount of disc material that can be removed from the spine, while simultaneously reducing the number of instrument passes required to accomplish this.

Then, the CONCORDE LIFT Expandable Interbody Device can be inserted into the space left by the resected degenerative disc tissue. The cage can then be expanded to fit the patient’s spine, with the surgeon being provided with tactile feedback to ensure a good fit.

Finally, the VIPER PRIME System helps surgeons perform percutaneous pedicle screw insertion. Unlike other instruments, this system combines multiple tools to allow for screw insertion in a single pass of the instrument.

“This UNLEASH Solution delivers a new offering to help reduce the complexity associated with minimally invasive spine surgery while reducing costs and OR footprint,” said Nadav Tomer, Worldwide President, DePuy Synthes Spine. “DePuy Synthes is committed to innovating the tools and technology required to serve more patients globally in a range of care settings by delivering disruptive procedural solutions that improve outcomes supported by real world clinical and economic evidence.”