Precision Spine Recruits Scientist to Design Disc Replacement Device

Parsippany, N.J.-based Precision Spine Inc. has entered into a development agreement with Stephen D. Cook, Ph.D. of the Fellowship of Orthopaedic Researchers in Metairie, La. to design a disc replacement device for the cervical spine. The team will focus on a motion preserving design with a goal to better replicate natural spinal function for patients.

Cook, executive director and chief scientist of the Fellowship, said, “I look forward to applying the resources of our Fellowship, which has a wealth of experience in motion preservation technologies, and leveraging that extensive background in a collaboration with the engineering team at Precision Spine. This project has the potential to fundamentally advance the design and function of spinal implants.”

“This new collaboration with the Fellowship reinforces the ongoing commitment of Precision Spine to advancing spinal technologies and improving outcomes and quality of life for patients,” said Rich Dickerson, president of Precision Spine. “We anticipate that Cook’s involvement in this project from the outset will positively impact our goal of developing a device that offers preservation of natural motion in the cervical spine to allow patients to retain function while reducing pain. Precision Spine is proud of its commitment to research and development aimed at bringing surgeons new and progressive spine treatment modalities that increase their viable patient care options.”

Cook’s major areas of research interest are spine devices, spine motion preservation, biological attachment mechanisms, mechanics and histology of implant interfaces, and other related fields. In addition to his positions with the Fellowship, he sits on the editorial boards of several notable clinical journals, including Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, Journal of Oral Implantology, Medical Design and Material andThe Journal of Arthroplasty. Cook is currently a clinical professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans, and has held the position of Lee C. Schlesinger professor, department of orthopedic surgery at Tulane University from 1992 through 2006. He has over 200 published clinical papers to his credit.