Live from NASS: Globus Medical Launches New Expandable Spine Spacer

Audubon, Pa.-based musculoskeletal device company Globus Medical Inc. launched its new Altera device at the North American Spine Society Annual Meeting on Nov. 12 in San Francisco, Calif. The device is a minimally invasive fully articulating expandable spacer for spinal fusion. Designed for restoring lordosis and maintaining sagittal balance while reducing the challenges of insertion, the spacer is inserted at a minimized height, articulated into an anterior position, and then expanded vertically to optimize fit.

Altera is the latest addition to Globus’ family of expandable spacers, and is designed for minimized insertion height, continuous expansion and optimized fit. Altera offers the option for 8 degree or 15 degree profile angles, and offers an alternative to standard static transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) crescent-shaped spacers. Additionally, Altera is designed for in-situ delivery of autogenous bone graft into, as well as around, the implant after it has been expanded.

“We are excited about the prospects for Altera which is the fourth new disruptive TLIF expandable technology we’ve launched in as many years for Globus,” said Andrew Iott, senior vice president of product development.

“The steerable articulaton and vertical expansion of Altera, tailoring lumbar balance and proper posture without the need for successive trialing, is a game-changer,” said Paul K. Kim, M.D, neurosurgeon at Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates. “The ability to completely pack the expanded graft window through a separate port creates optimal fusion conditions.”

Globus Medical is displaying its products at NASS at booth #1119.