DePuy Synthes Buys Sentio to Broaden Reach in Minimally Invasive Spine

DePuy Synthes Products Inc., part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, announced that it has acquired Innovative Surgical Solutions, LLC, doing business as Sentio, LLC, a privately-held company based in Wixom, Mich. that markets innovative nerve localization technology for spine surgery. This acquisition underscores the DePuy Synthes and Johnson & Johnson Medical Device Companies strategy of investing in faster growing segments with technologies that are designed to help improve patient outcomes and bring value to customers. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
 
Nerve localization is important during many spine procedures, including one minimally invasive approach called lateral surgery, where temporary and permanent neurologic complications are reported in 9.4 percent and 2.5 percent of patients, respectively.¹ These complications include pain or weakness in the hip or leg due to stretching or bruising of nerves near the surgical field, and are seen despite the use of currently available nerve localization systems.¹
 
Most technologies on the market today rely on multiple needle electrodes in the patient’s arms or legs to locate motor nerves in the cervical and lumbar spine, and generate signals that can be problematic due to anesthesia effects, electrical interference or interpretation challenges. These systems typically require a neuromonitoring specialist to interpret the signals and guide the surgeon.
 
Sentio’s platform provides real-time feedback directly to the surgeon on nerve location using adhesive smart-sensors that are applied to the skin. The system can be set up by operating room personnel, does not require a neuromonitoring specialist, and has a minimal footprint in the operating room. In an animal model, Sentio’s technology detected nerve location faster than one competitive system and at lower levels of stimulation².
 
“With Sentio’s nerve localization technology, DePuy Synthes will strengthen its spine portfolio in decompression procedures as well as lateral surgery, and build a platform for future innovation in minimally invasive surgery,” said Ciro Römer, company group chairman, DePuy Synthes. “The surgeon-driven approach will also help us reach more customers operating in an ambulatory surgery setting. This acquisition underscores our commitment to investing in differentiated technologies that help us reach more customers and patients around the world.”
 
DePuy Synthes has the second largest spine business in the world with a broad portfolio of spinal care solutions, including treatments for aging spine, less invasive surgery, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, care delivery innovation and enabling technologies. The company intends to leverage its broad network to expand the availability of Sentio’s technology to DePuy Synthes customers globally.
 
References
¹Joseph, J et al. Comparison of complication rates of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and lateral lumbar interbody fusion: a systematic review of the literature. Neurosurg Focus 39 (4):E4, 2015.
²Anderson et al (2010) An analysis of agreement between MMG vs. EMG systems for identification of nerve location during spinal procedures. NASS/Spine J.