USA – Medtronic plc, a global leader in medical technology, has announced the latest additions to its minimally invasive spine surgery ecosystem, making it the only company to offer spinal implants, biologics, navigation, robotics, and AI-powered data to surgeons and patients.

The three new additions to minimally invasive spine surgery products include simplified surgical access hardware, expandable titanium interbody implants, and a bone graft delivery system.

The most recent technology concentrate on transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures and they will be an addition to the Medtech’s giant suite of navigation, artificial intelligence, and robotics tools, as well as its spinal implants and biologics portfolio.

Each year, over 450,000 spinal fusion procedures are performed in the United States to relieve pain, improve stability, or correct spinal deformities.

Out of these, lower or lumbar fusion procedures are performed on approximately 200,000 people each year to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, spinal stenosis, and others.

Minimally invasive surgery requires fewer incisions than open surgery and causes less disruption to the surrounding muscles and tissue.

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is one of the most common spinal fusion procedures (TLIF). During a TLIF procedure, a disc from the lumbar spine is removed and two vertebrae are joined together with screws or rods.

An interbody fusion spacer is inserted into the space, followed by a bone graft or bone substitute. As the bone heals, it joins the vertebrae to form a single bone.

The new additions to Medtronic’s MIS+ portfolio provide surgeons with the most comprehensive MIS+ TLIF solution currently available in the market, offering a complete procedural solution.

The technology also creates additional advantages such as lower infection and complication rates, less blood loss, smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, and less pain– to a greater number of patients.

“While minimally invasive procedures can present a learning curve for surgeons, Medtronic’s portfolio makes these operations efficient and reproducible, utilizing instruments as in an open procedure, with the additional benefits of AI, navigation and robotics,” said Christopher Holland, of Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates.

The MIS ecosystem overall helps make these procedures safer, and my patients can recover faster and return home sooner (often without requiring a hospital admission), with a better overall care experience and better outcomes,” he added.

Medtronic continues to raise the bar in minimally invasive spine surgery through its commitment to innovation and expansion of MIS capabilities said Carlton Weatherby, vice president and general manager of Spine & Biologics within the Cranial & Spinal Technologies business.

Medtronic ranks in the top 3 by market share in the U.S spine market among competitors such as DePuy Synthes and NuVasive.

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