DePuy Synthes Spine Introduces EXPEDIUM VERSE® Spinal System

CHICAGO, Oct. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DePuy Synthes Spine* has introduced the EXPEDIUM VERSE^® Spinal System, a new all-in-one pedicle screw system. The system enables surgeons to perform multiple spinal correction maneuvers during spinal fusion surgery with a single implant type and fewer instruments, compared to traditional pedicle screw systems. The system may reduce the number of screws needed in a procedure and potentially reduce the risk of screw pullout or migration when compared to traditional screws. The EXPEDIUM VERSE Pedicle Screw is being showcased here at the North American Spine Society (NASS 2015) 30^th Annual Meeting, which begins today.

During spinal fusion surgery, surgeons often have to use a variety of screw types and complex instruments to straighten or stabilize the spine. With the EXPEDIUM VERSE Spinal System, an innovative "Correction Key" enables conversion to multiple screw types, which expands implant functionality, provides intraoperative flexibility and may reduce the number of screws needed. The system design decreases the number of instrument trays required for procedures to as few as four¹ and helps reduce sterilization costs by 84 percent.² The use of fewer implants and instruments may also help reduce procedure time.

"The EXPEDIUM VERSE System is useful in complex spinal deformity as well as degenerative pathology," said Suken A. Shah, MD, Division Chief, Spine and Scoliosis Center, Nemours/Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Del. "In my opinion, it may fundamentally change the way surgeons approach scoliosis by offering any number of ways to engage the rod and derotate the spine in order to truly achieve three dimensional correction. Set consolidation and limited need for ancillary instruments improve operating room efficiency and provide additional value for the hospital through easier adoption, faster turnover, and less sterilization demands."

During the procedure, increased screw head angulation and reduction tabs optimize rod placement and may help reduce over-bending of the rod during implantation, which can lead to rod fatigue.³ Improved control over screw positioning and improved distribution of forces may help reduce the risk of screw pullout or migration when compared to traditional screws.^4,5,6 When used to treat degenerative disorders of the mid- and lower-back, the increased angulation of the EXPEDIUM VERSE Pedicle Screw may allow for less tissue retraction.        

"The EXPEDIUM VERSE Spinal System was designed with the changing healthcare environment in mind," said Dan Wildman, Platform Leader, DePuy Synthes Spine. "Our goal from the beginning was to develop an implant-based system that would benefit patients while supporting procedural efficiency and value. We have achieved that goal with the EXPEDIUM VERSE Spinal System, which has the potential to optimize surgical correction, improve patient outcomes and reduce costs."

The EXPEDIUM VERSE Spinal System is part of a comprehensive offering that provides hospitals with a single source to address complex spine needs. In collaboration with Ethicon, DePuy Synthes Companies is offering the HARMONIC OSTEOVUE^™ Spine Soft Tissue Dissector exclusively to Spine surgeons, who also have access to Stratafix™ Symmetric PDS^® Synthetic Absorbable Sutures for suture closure and Dermabond^® Prineo^® for wound closure. Externally, DePuy Synthes Spine is working with Brainlab to offer distinct navigation solutions and with LifeNet Health^® to offer ViviGen^® Cellular Bone Matrix**. The company is also beginning phased introductions of additional innovations in the EXPEDIUM^® System family including EXPEDIUM Power and the EXPEDIUM Universal Osteotomy Set.

About DePuy Synthes Companies
DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson provides the most comprehensive orthopaedic and neurological solutions in the world. The company offers an unparalleled breadth of products, services, programs and research and development capabilities. DePuy Synthes Companies' solutions in the specialties of joint reconstruction, trauma, neurological, 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 the new EXPEDIUM VERSE Spinal System. 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 Orthopaedics, Inc. and/or Johnson & Johnson.  Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainty of commercial success; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; changes in behavior and spending patterns or financial distress of purchasers of health care products and services; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; challenges to patents; manufacturing difficulties and delays; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and description 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 28, 2014, including in Exhibit 99 thereto, 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.  None of the DePuy Synthes Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments).

SOURCE DePuy Synthes