Osseon Therapeutics Demonstrates to the European Medical Community How to 'Think Outside The Balloon' When Treating Vertebral Compression Fractures

LIVERPOOL, England, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- At this week's BritSpine 2010 conference, Osseon Therapeutics is demonstrating to European surgeons and interventional radiologists how they can "think outside the balloon" when it comes to treating vertebral compression fractures brought on by osteoporosis, benign or malignant lesions and trauma.

The company's groundbreaking Osseoplasty 1.0 percutaneous vertebral augmentation system provides a safe, fast alternative for vertebral augmentation with cavity creation, and does so without  obstacles and device related complications and issues associated with other vertebral augmentation products.

"A recent study published in the January 2010 edition of the American Journal of Neuroradiology entitled Balloon-Related Complications and Technical Failures in Kyphoplasty for Vertebral Fractures highlights several important issues related to percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty," said John Stalcup, Ph.D., CEO of Osseon. "The Osseoplasty 1.0 system provides an alternative solution for physicians while avoiding the recurrent complications or procedural failures noted in that study.  It also yields numerous benefits to patients, physicians and medical facilities."

Osseoplasty 1.0 is a proprietary, unipedicular system developed by Osseon that provides rapid stabilization of vertebral fractures and significant pain relief.  No other expandable devices are necessary for creating a cavity with this revolutionary, minimally invasive system.  One key component is the Osseoflex™ 1.0, a steerable, curvable needle which can navigate to selected areas of the vertebral body to create a void or branching cavity which in turn can be filled with bone cement.  This unique delivery device enables navigation of the anterior 2/3 of the vertebral body, translating to more precise treatment of the pathology and more accurate delivery of the Osseoperm™ bone cement within compression-wedge fracture of the vertebral body.  

"Osseoplasty offers some unique advantages for both patient and physician.  It is less invasive, it is more precise in addressing the pathology," Stalcup stated. "And, this system is also more efficient – on average, it is a more efficient procedure, as it is substantially faster than other cavity creating systems which means a patient spends less time on the operating table.  This efficiency also yields meaningful cost-reduction benefits for physicians and medical facilities."

Osseon has partnered with MBA Incorporado, SL to distribute Osseon's suite of products in the European and South American markets. MBA, the largest private independent distributor of orthopedic devices in Europe, is a leading medical device marketing and distribution organization and specializes in the sale of products used for treatment of the spine.

"We are delighted to partner with Osseon to facilitate the introduction of this exciting, new therapeutic option to specialists in Europe," said Paul Griffin, MBA's Chief Operating Officer.  "The unique technology of Osseoplasty will not only benefit patients through a less invasive, faster procedure that relieves painful vertebral compression fracture, it also will provide financial relief for physicians and hospitals alike."

About Osseon

Osseon Therapeutics is focused on bringing to market alternative minimally invasive treatments for degenerative bone and joint disease.  Headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, the company's groundbreaking technology and delivery system provides comparable or better efficacy and safety than other commercial solutions while offering significant advantages in efficiency and cost. By improving the treatment of compression fractures within the lower portion of the thoracic and the entire lumbar vertebral spine, Osseon offers relief to those suffering from these maladies, as well as the physicians and medical facilities who treat them.  Its first-generation products have received both FDA clearance and the CE Mark for product distribution in the United States and European Union.  For more information, visit our web site at www.osseon.com.

About MBA

MBA Incorporado, SL MBA is a leading medical device marketing and distribution organization in the European Union and South America.  MBA specializes in the sale of products used for treatment of the spine, and is the largest private independent distributor of orthopedic devices in Europe, generating more than $100 million in total sales in 2008. 

For more information, contact: Michael Bivens, Osseon Director of Business Development, [email protected].

SOURCE Osseon Therapeutics