Applied Spine Technologies awarded U.S. patents for 'Dynamic Spine Stabilizer' and 'Spring Junction'

Applied Spine Technologies, Inc. www.appliedspine.com, a medical device company focused on motion preservation of the lumbar spine, was awarded two new patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 11, 2010.

“It has, therefore, been particularly satisfying for the Applied Spine team to receive five additional patents during the past 6 months, with several more notable patents due to mature in the near future.”

The first, titled 'Dynamic spine stabilizer' (U.S. patent No. 7,713,287), sites both stiffness and travel in a spring based dynamic stabilization device.

The second, titled 'Spring junction and assembly methods for spinal device' (U.S. patent No. 7,713,288), sites a connection between the spring and cap assembly of the device.

"A key feature of a dynamic stabilization device is its ability to permit relative movement between the vertebral bodies, what some call interpedicular travel." said Bruce Robie, PhD, Vice President of Research and Development for Applied Spine. "Our intellectual property focuses on springs to achieve meaningful travel. The 'Spring Junction' patent protects geometry to create a spring based dynamic stabilization device, and the 'Dynamic Spine Stabilizer' patent protects a range of stiffness and travel values to ensure its clinical utility."

"Being involved in a PMA/IDE for a spinal motion preservation technology is a time consuming and expensive exercise, never more so than in today's difficult climate", said Craig Corrance, President and CEO of Applied Spine. "It has, therefore, been particularly satisfying for the Applied Spine team to receive five additional patents during the past 6 months, with several more notable patents due to mature in the near future.

"The significance of these multiple method and apparatus awards is that it recognizes not only the unique qualities of the Stabilimax device, but also the distinct differentiation advantage we enjoy in comparison to competitors in this space. Expansion of Applied Spine's US and international IP portfolio continues to add strategic value to the company, as it comes at a time when the clinical community has developed a greater appreciation for the importance of interpedicular travel in dynamic stabilization devices such as Stabilimax."