Lanx announces initial launch of Durango Stand-Alone ALIF System

Lanx®, Inc., a privately held medical device company focused on developing and commercializing innovative devices for spinal surgery, today announced the initial launch of its Durango™ Stand-Alone ALIF System (Durango), following 510(k) clearance in February. The announcement was made at the 2011 American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.

The Durango system is intended to treat degenerative disc disease at one or two levels from L2 to S1 through anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), and has been approved as a stand-alone implant when used with all four fixation screws. It is the first system on the market to offer multiple plate options, including a full plate, a zero-profile plate, and the first ever half plate with 15 degree angled screws for more challenging anatomies.  

"The Durango system expands the breadth of our fusion portfolio, offering a reliable, integrated ALIF solution to meet the needs and preferences of surgeons and improve care for diverse patient anatomies," said Dan Gladney, Chief Executive Officer, Lanx.  "After several successful cases, the new anchored cage continues to receive positive feedback regarding the versatility of its plate options and the system's ease of implantation."

The Durango system has been designed to improve stability and promote fusion, combining a PEEK OPTIMA® LT1 large footprint interbody spacer, a titanium anterior plate and four fixation screws. The system also includes a full set of specialized instrumentation and a one-step cover plate with a secure, center set screw to prevent screw back-out.

"The thoughtful design of the Durango system, with its variety of plates and screw angles, is significant in that it allows for a unique, tailored approach to ALIF based on the affected vertebral level and patient's anatomy," said Randall W. Porter, M.D., neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurosurgical Associates in Phoenix, AZ, and one of the first surgeons to use Durango. "The new half plate option with its reduced screw angle is especially advantageous for difficult cases in the L5 to S1 region of the spine. Even the system's low profile full plate limits concern for distortion of overlying vessels."

Broadening the Lanx ALIF portfolio, the new anchored cage is expected to be fully commercialized in the U.S. by Q4 2011, joining the recently-launched Epic™ Anterior Thoracolumbar Plating System and the Breckenridge™ Interbody/VBR Fusion System.

The Durango system is one of several innovative products that will be on display at the Lanx AANS booth #1016.