SpineSmith Announces Issuance of US Patent for Stand-Alone ALIF Device -VisuALIF®

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SpineSmith, a Celling Biosciences company, announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent 8,273,127, covering the VisuALIF®, the first lumbar interbody device featuring a revolutionary open-face design.  

In October 2010 the VisuALIF received FDA clearance per K102090 for commercial sale in the United States. The company has performed over 400 procedures utilizing the technology since its launch.  The system is currently being utilized across the US with an anticipated CE marking for 2013.  The VisuALIF family of products will include a lateral design, cervical design and unique plating designs for all approaches.   

"The VisuALIF device is a comprehensive system designed for physicians to take advantage of maximum graft placement to optimize the fusion environment.  We believe the unique design allows surgeons to dedicate the appropriate attention to all three key elements of the fusion procedure:  cell biology, optimal substrates and the medical device," said Kevin Dunworth, founder of SpineSmith.

The proprietary technology is designed to give surgeons the option for in-situ graft delivery and provide the ability to choose the appropriate plate system depending on different anatomical challenges.  The Challenging Access Plate is a unique plate that provides ease of use when approaching the challenges at the L5-S1 juncture. 

The design of the system was based off ease of use and solving surgical technique issues that are not currently addressed by other systems on the market.  "The VisuALIF's open access allows a physician to visualize the disc space for in-situ implant preparation, prepare for optimal end plate contact and maximize a large volume of graft to give the patient the optimal chances for bone fusion," said Dr. Mark Rahm of Scott & White Healthcare in Temple, Texas.

The VisuALIF® patent is part of an intellectual property portfolio from SpineSmith that includes more than 39 pending patents that focuses on cell centric devices, substrates and delivery methods for a number of cell therapy applications across several disciplines of medicine.  "Today's regenerative medicine market is becoming increasingly competitive.  We believe our niche is to create products and techniques that combine the core competencies of science and engineering to create an innovative product portfolio," said Dunworth.

About SpineSmith LLC- A Celling Biosciences Company

SpineSmith Partners LP designs, develops and markets implants and biologics for surgical fixation, correction and tissue regeneration of the spine. SpineSmith utilizes a collaborative approach between scientists, engineers and spine surgeons. Our unique approach gives spine surgeons the ability to directly impact the direction of our product portfolio, ensuring applicability and achieving the highest standards of patient care.  For more information please visit:  www.spinesmithusa.com.  

About Celling Biosciences

Celling Biosciences, works closely with surgeons, scientists and engineers to research and develop innovative technologies in the emerging field of regenerative medicine.  Celling's product offering focuses on autologous adult stem cell therapy and the devices and services that compliment these procedures.  For more information please visit: www.cellingbiosciences.com.

CONTACT: Tracy K. Bracy, +1-512-637-2050, [email protected]

SOURCE Celling Biosciences