USPTO issues new patent to Applied Spine Technologies

Applied Spine Technologies, Inc. www.appliedspine.com, a medical device company focused on motion preservation of the lumbar spine, has been awarded a new patent titled "Spinal Stabilization Device with Weld Cap".

“This patent protects geometry to take a relatively standard coil spring and incorporate it successfully into a functional dynamic stabilization device.”

U.S. patent No. 7,699,875, issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on April 20, 2010, claims geometry for a spring based spinal stabilization device including members to mechanically connect the spring to other structural components.

"Enabling a motion preserving device to shorten and lengthen -- frequently referred to as interpedicular travel -- is a key feature of clinically viable dynamic stabilization devices and springs are one of the best ways to enable interpedicular travel. The challenge associated with the use of springs is connecting the spring to the pedicle screws in a way that can survive the millions of loading cycles expected of the device," said Bruce Robie, PhD, Vice President of Research and Development for Applied Spine. "This patent protects geometry to take a relatively standard coil spring and incorporate it successfully into a functional dynamic stabilization device."

"One of the documented clinical benefits of our Stabilimax device is its allowance of significant interpedicular travel," said Craig Corrance, President and CEO. "The issuance of this patent recognizes the uniqueness associated with our device and adds yet another layer to our patent portfolio, complementing previously issued patents on spring based dynamic stabilization devices and devices that enable dynamic angulation. In combination with two additional notices of allowance already received from the Patent Office, our I.P. portfolio is in a stage of growth, and our expectation is that it will have an increasing impact on pedicle based dynamic stabilization devices over the coming months and years."