DePuy Synthes Expands Spine Portfolio with Nerve Assessment Platform Designed to Identify & Avoid Nerves During Spine Surgery

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies* announced today that DePuy Synthes** is introducing SENTIO MMG, a first-of-its-kind digital mechanomyography platform designed to assess nerve status and identify and avoid peripheral nerves during spine surgery. SENTIO MMG enables motor nerve monitoring for a variety of spine procedures, including non-fusion procedures such as discectomy and both minimally invasive (MIS) and open spinal fusion surgery.  SENTIO MMG is being broadly introduced at the 2018 North America Spine Society Meeting in Los Angeles, California.

The ability for surgeons to improve how nerves are assessed is an unmet clinical need in spine surgery. Most technologies on the market today rely on multiple needle electrodes in the patient's arms or legs to locate motor nerves in the cervical and lumbar spine and generate signals. This technology can be problematic due to anesthesia effects, electrical interference, or interpretation challenges. These systems typically require a neuromonitoring specialist to interpret the signals and guide the surgeon. 

SENTIO MMG consists of a touchscreen tablet, control unit, probes, and smart sensors which can be set up by surgical personnel with a minimal footprint in the operating room. With the launch of SENTIO MMG, DePuy Synthes is enabling surgeons to assess nerve status in a differentiated way. It delivers a patented, smart sensor technology that provides real-time feedback directly to the surgeon on nerve location in the form of visual and audible alerts designed to support surgical decision making and potential efficiency during surgery.

"The SENTIO MMG System has provided me with a reliable technology to attain nerve mapping during spinal fusion procedures. It is a useful means to assess nerve status intraoperatively while simultaneously making the OR workflow more efficient and decreasing costs for the hospital," said Frank LaMarca, MD, Neurological Surgeon, Jackson, Michigan***.

The launch of SENTIO MMG further illustrates DePuy Synthes' commitment to enhancing its portfolio of enabling technologies in the spine market to help and guide surgeons performing spinal procedures.  

"The addition of SENTIO MMG to our enabling technologies portfolio will provide value to surgeons performing spine procedures in a variety of care settings, including both hospital and outpatient surgery," said Nadav Tomer, Worldwide President, Spine, DePuy Synthes. "This platform underscores our commitment to digital technologies that advance care for patients and we believe by embracing solutions such as SENTIO MMG we can help to reduce variability and inefficiency in spine surgery."

About the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies
As the world's most comprehensive medical devices business, we are building on a century of experience, leveraging science and technology, to shape the future of healthcare. With unparalleled breadth, depth and reach in surgery, orthopaedics and interventional solutions, we are working to profoundly change the way care is delivered. We are in this for life. Learn more about our latest innovations by visiting: https://www.jnjmedicaldevices.com.

About DePuy Synthes
DePuy Synthes provides one of the most comprehensive orthopaedics portfolios in the world. DePuy Synthes solutions, in specialties including joint reconstruction, trauma, craniomaxillofacial, spinal surgery and sports medicine, are designed to advance patient care while delivering clinical and economic value to health care systems worldwide. For more information, visit www.depuysynthes.com.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding SENTIO MMG. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of DePuy Synthes, any of the other Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson.  Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainty of commercial success; challenges to patents; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; manufacturing difficulties and delays; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in the company's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

*The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies comprise the surgery, orthopaedics, and interventional solutions businesses within Johnson & Johnson's Medical Devices segment.
**DePuy Synthes represents the products and services of DePuy Synthes, Inc. and its affiliates.
***Consultant to DePuy Synthes Spine

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©DePuy Synthes 2018. All rights reserved.

SOURCE DePuy Synthes

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