Lanx, Inc. Announces Aspen™ Spinous Process Fixation System Clinical Data at IMAST

BROOMFIELD, Colo., July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Lanx®, Inc., a privately held medical device company focused on developing and commercializing innovative devices for spinal surgery, announced its Aspen™ Spinous Process Fixation System (Aspen) was featured in two poster presentations at The 18th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST) in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 13th to 16th.

Dan Gladney, Chief Executive Officer, Lanx, commented, "These scientific sessions at IMAST add to our growing body of data that continue to validate the versatility and efficacy of the Aspen system as a viable alternative to pedicle screw-rod fixation, as well as an effective adjunct to fusion. We see great opportunity in the spinous process fixation market and plan to leverage our leadership position to expand our platform with this proven, proprietary technology."

At the meeting, Dr. Mitchell Hardenbrook of The Boston Spine Group in collaboration with Colorado State University presented "Rigid Spinous Process System Fixation vs. Pedicle Screw Fixation in a Posterolateral Lumbar Arthrodesis Construct – Comparison of Fusion Rates." In this study, 24 sheep underwent a posterolateral fusion procedure at L5-L6, with autograft placed between the transverse processes. Twelve received the Aspen device and 12 received a bilateral pedicle screw-rod construct. Within 6 months following surgery CT analysis showed 12 of 12 sheep in the Aspen device group with robust bridging bone on at least one side, whereas only 7 of 12 in the pedicle screw group showed the same degree of bridging bone on at least one side.

Also at the meeting, Dr. Dean G. Karahalios of North Shore University Health System in collaboration with Barrow Neurological Institute presented "Biomechanics of Lumbar Facet Screws and Interspinous Anchor." The study compared the biomechanics of five different constructs combining facet screws, pedicle screws and the Aspen device, evaluating flexion-extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. In the combined average range of motion, both the Aspen device with bilateral facet screws and bilateral pedicle screws provided statistically superior stability.

To date, over 800 spine surgeons have used the Aspen system in nearly 20,000 implantations to achieve lumbar fusion in a less invasive manner than pedicle screws. The system includes a proprietary spiked fixation plate designed to be rigidly affixed to the spinous processes with the use of specialized surgical instrumentation. The unique central barrel allows the device to share the weight found in the lumbar and thoracic spine, while its hollow and fenestrated design serves as a bone graft containment chamber to facilitate fusion.

The Aspen system is intended for single level use in the thoracic or lumbar spine (T1-S1) for the treatment of degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal trauma or spinal tumor. The Aspen system is currently being used in a wide range of surgical applications including posterior fusions and interbody fusions.

Lanx markets a full line of spine stabilization technologies. For more information about the Aspen system or Lanx, please visit www.lanx.com.

About Lanx, Inc.

Lanx is one of the largest and fastest growing privately held global spine companies. The Company was founded by a team of experienced medical device professionals and engineers in 2003 to improve the quality of spine care and provide surgeons with innovative products. Lanx develops and markets a full line of fusion technologies with a focus on minimally invasive and biologics products. The Company is headquartered in Broomfield, CO. More information on Lanx and its spinal surgery products can be found at www.lanx.com.

SOURCE Lanx, Inc.