Spine News and Research

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Appropriate CT scans may save and extend lives of children

The American College of Radiology (ACR) urges that results of a study (Pearce et al) to be published in the Lancet regarding radiation risk from pediatric computed tomography (CT) scans should not keep parents from getting needed medical imaging care for their children, but should be discussed with their physician and factored into their shared decision making before an imaging scan is performed.

7 Jun 2012

Study identifies 5 biomarkers that may predict progression of spinal damage in AS patients

A new study presented today at EULAR 2012, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism, has identified five biomarkers that may predict the progression of structural damage in the spine of patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) who are already at high risk of disease progression.

7 Jun 2012

ProFibrix initiates Phase III trial with Fibrocaps in spine, liver, vascular and soft tissue surgery

ProFibrix B.V., a leader in the development of innovative bioactive products to stop bleeding (hemostasis), today announced the start of its pivotal Phase III clinical trial with Fibrocaps (FINISH-3) in spine, liver, vascular and soft tissue surgery.

7 Jun 2012

Small stature spinal system announced by K2M

K2M, Inc., a spinal device company developing innovative solutions for the treatment of complex spinal pathologies and minimally invasive procedures, today announced the debut of the MESA® Small Stature Spinal System, a Ø4.5 mm line extension of the company’s revolutionary low profile, zero torque family of products.

6 Jun 2012

Abbott announces results from HUMIRA Phase 3 study on axSpA

Abbott today announced results from the open-label extension of the Phase 3 ABILITY-1 investigational study of HUMIRA (adalimumab), which assessed the improvement in signs and symptoms of disease for patients with active axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) who have no X-ray evidence of structural damage.

6 Jun 2012

SANUWAVE’s ESWT stimulates proliferation of cambium cells for bone generation

SANUWAVE Health, Inc., today announced the publication of peer-reviewed, preclinical research that demonstrates the ability of the Company's Extracorporeal Shock Wave Technology (ESWT) to stimulate proliferation of periosteal adult stem cells (cambium cells) within the body and subsequently form bone.

6 Jun 2012

Bayer announces updated data from radium-223 dichloride Phase III trial on CRPC

Bayer HealthCare today announced updated data from the pivotal Phase III ALSYMPCA (ALpharadin in SYMptomatic Prostate CAncer) trial for its investigational drug radium-223 dichloride in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and symptomatic bone metastases.

6 Jun 2012

Many men with metastatic prostate cancer live longer on continuous hormone therapy

Many men with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer live longer on continuous androgen-deprivation therapy (also known as hormone therapy) than on intermittent therapy, according to a seventeen-year study led by SWOG, a cancer research cooperative group funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

4 Jun 2012

Local anesthetic mixed with magnetized 'ferrofluids' may prevent rare complication of spinal anesthesia

An simple technique using local anesthetic mixed with magnetized "ferrofluids" may provide a new approach to preventing a rare but serious complication of spinal anesthesia, reports the June issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

2 Jun 2012

MD Bioproducts launches new subtype specific antibody as marker for AS

MD Bioproducts launches a new subtype specific antibody as a marker for ankylosing spondylitis (AS): HLA-B*2705. The anti-HLA-B*2705 antibody, clone MARB4, has been validated for use in flow cytometry, tissue staining and immunoprecipitation.

30 May 2012

AMS, Expanding Orthopedics partner to distribute XPED system in Italy

Expanding Orthopedics Inc. announced that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Advanced Medical Systems for the distribution of its unique XPED Expanding Pedicle Screw System in Italy.

29 May 2012

New technique more sensitive in detecting bone loss than X-ray method

Are your bones getting stronger or weaker? Right now, it's hard to know. Scientists at Arizona State University and NASA are taking on this medical challenge by developing and applying a technique that originated in the Earth sciences. In a new study, this technique was more sensitive in detecting bone loss than the X-ray method used today, with less risk to patients. Eventually, it may find use in clinical settings, and could pave the way for additional innovative biosignatures to detect disease.

29 May 2012

Giant cells protect fungus Cryptococcus neoformans during infection

Giant cells called "titan cells" protect the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans during infection, according to two University of Minnesota researchers. Kirsten Nielsen, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the department of microbiology, and recent Ph.D. recipient Laura Okagaki believe their discovery could help develop new ways to fight infections caused by Cryptococcus.

28 May 2012

$IOF report predicts dramatic rise in osteoporosis-related fractures in Brazil$

IOF report predicts dramatic rise in osteoporosis-related fractures in Brazil

A new Audit report on fragility fractures, issued today by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), predicts that Brazil will experience an explosion in the number of fragility fractures due to osteoporosis in the coming decades.

25 May 2012

$Fragility fractures predicted to more than double in Latin America$

Fragility fractures predicted to more than double in Latin America

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), in cooperation with medical and patient societies from throughout Latin America, has today published a landmark report which compiles osteoporosis-related data on 14 countries and the region as a whole. The report shows that fragility fractures due to osteoporosis are predicted to more than double in some countries in the coming decades.

25 May 2012

Reid says he will let budget cuts go forward unless there is a concession on revenue

In an interview with POLITICO, (Senate Majority Leader Harry) Reid said he was open to a compromise that would salvage about four-fifths of the Bush-era tax cuts. But absent some concession on revenues, the $110 billion in spending cuts ordered by the debt agreement last August would go into effect. "I am not going to back off the sequestration," Reid said. ... the recent House-passed reconciliation bill, which promises to forestall these very same cuts in January, was the last straw for Reid and helped fortify his position.

25 May 2012

Mazor launches Renaissance C-OnSite system

Mazor Robotics Ltd, the leader in innovative surgical robots and complementary products for spine surgery, announced the global launch of the C-OnSite enhancement to its Renaissance system.

24 May 2012

New MicroNav surgical technique provides greater safety and reduces pain

The revolutionary new MicroNav surgical technique, performed by Dr. Scott Hodges, gives greater safety, less pain, minimal cuts and faster recovery from spine surgery using high-tech 3D scanners and GPS-like instruments. These bold claims are backed by more than 600 surgeries with zero infections and zero revisions, a huge improvement over the high failure rate of "open" surgical techniques and questionable "laser" spine surgery.

24 May 2012

Tri-City Medical Center leading the way with robotically enhanced spine surgery

Tri-City Medical Center, one of just 10 hospitals nationwide performing robotic spine surgery using the Mazor Renaissance guidance system, is now one of the first hospitals worldwide to use an enhancement to that system that allows surgeons to immediately verify the placement of implants, significantly diminishing the need for follow-up procedures.

23 May 2012

Enrollment complete in Baxano’s iO-Flex System study

Baxano, Inc., a Silicon Valley based medical device company and manufacturer of the iO-Flex System used in spinal decompression surgery, today announced it has completed enrollment in its iO-Flex Study.

23 May 2012