Abbott begins study of less-invasive spine implant

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Abbott Laboratories Inc. on Wednesday
said it has begun enrolling patients in an early-stage U.S.
study of a less-invasive spinal implant aimed at patients with
mild to moderate degenerative disc disease.

The device, called the Wallis system, is designed to treat
patients with lower back pain whose disease has not progressed
to the point of requiring spinal fusion, which immobilizes
sections of the spine, or disc replacement surgery.

In degenerative disc disease, the discs of the spine
deteriorate, allowing parts of the spine to come into contact
with each other. The Wallis system inserts a spacer between the
vertebrae that is held in place with bands wrapped around the
bones on the back of the vertebrae.

Abbott said the clinical trial, which will register about
340 patients, will compare the technology — also known as
“dynamic stabilization” — with non-surgical treatment such as
medication, exercise and physical therapy.

Dr. Scott Kitchel, a professor at Oregon Health and
Sciences University, who performed one of the first implants of
the Abbott device, said the goal is a safer operation that
preserves the range of motion in a patient’s spine.

“It’s going to fill an intermediate role between
non-operative care and more aggressive, more invasive
procedures,” Kitchel said.

The device is implanted through the patient’s back and
placed near the skin. Disc replacement surgery requires going
through the abdomen.

Other medical device makers, including Medtronic Inc., are
pursuing versions of dynamic stabilization technology, but
currently there are no approved products on the U.S. market.