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Abbott begins study of less-invasive spine implant

Posted on: Wednesday, 28 September 2005, 07:04 CDT

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.

Source: REUTERS

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