CareFusion Launches New Device to Help Treat Spinal Fractures

SAN DIEGO, March 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CareFusion (NYSE: CFN), a leading, global medical device company, today announced the launch of the AVAmax® Vertebral Balloon, a minimally invasive device for use during kyphoplasty, a procedure for treating spinal compression fractures.  

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CareFusion is the only company in the industry to offer a full line of products that address both vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty, the two primary approaches to treat spinal compression fractures by delivering bone cement into the vertebral space with specialized needles. CareFusion is currently a market leader in devices for vertebroplasty procedures.

CareFusion will offer the new AVAmax Vertebral Balloon as part of a system that includes needles, bone cement and delivery instruments for both kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty, giving doctors the choice and flexibility to perform either procedure at the time of patient care.

"Stabilizing spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis through kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty is a mainstay of treatment," said Dr. Wade Wong, Professor of Radiology, division of Interventional Neuroradiology at the University of California, San Diego. "However it may be difficult for doctors to predict which procedure to perform until they see the current state of the fracture once in the procedure room."

The AVAmax Vertebral Balloon and the components needed to perform the procedure will be very competitively priced, making the procedure even more accessible for clinicians and their patients.  In addition, the AVAmax® PLUS vertebral augmentation system, used with the AVAmax Vertebral Balloon to deliver cement, has features that allow the radiologist's hands to be out of the radiation field, making the procedure safer for the clinician.  

“Adding the AVAmax Vertebral Balloon to our existing offering is another example of CareFusion’s commitment to developing products that help lower the cost and improve the safety of health care,” said David Schlotterbeck, chairman and CEO of CareFusion. "Our entry into the kyphoplasty market builds upon our existing leadership in vertebroplasty and provides physicians with a less expensive way to treat spinal compression fractures by reducing waste of unused components between the two procedures.

Spinal compression fractures are often caused by osteoporosis, a disease of low bone strength that affects an estimated 10 million Americans, resulting in an estimated 700,000 spinal fractures cases that can cause disabling pain, height loss, balance difficulties and a decreased quality of life. In the U.S., approximately 50 percent of women and 25 percent of men over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporosis fracture in their lifetime.  

CareFusion is establishing a dedicated sales force to sell this product in order to achieve product adoption and market penetration in the U.S., with future expansion plans in Europe next year. The global kyphoplasty procedure health care segment is currently estimated to represent approximately $600 million in sales.

During a kyphoplasty, a small balloon is used to create a cavity in the vertebral body and ultimately deliver bone cement in that cavity. A vertebroplasty does not include the use of a surgical balloon to deliver the bone cement.

About CareFusion Corporation

CareFusion (NYSE: CFN) is a global corporation serving the health care industry with products and services that help hospitals measurably improve the safety and quality of care. The company develops market-leading technologies including Alaris® IV pumps, Pyxis® automated dispensing and patient identification systems, AVEA® and Pulmonetic Systems ventilation and respiratory products, ChloraPrep® products, MedMined™ services for infection surveillance, NeuroCare neurological monitoring and diagnostic products, V. Mueller® surgical instruments, and an extensive line of products that support interventional medicine. CareFusion employs more than 15,000 people across its global operations. More information may be found at www.carefusion.com.

SOURCE CareFusion