RTI Surgical Launches Fortilink-TS and -L IBF Systems

RTI Surgical Inc., a global surgical implant company, announced the full commercial launch of its Fortilink-TS and -L IBF Systems, adding to a series of interbody fusion devices featuring proprietary TETRAfuse 3D Technology. The Fortilink-TS and -L Systems are intended for use in lumbar interbody fusion procedures at one or two adjoining levels in patients with degenerative disc disease. TETRAfuse 3D Technology is the first 3D printed polymer-based interbody fusion device to incorporate a nano-roughⁱ surface that has demonstrated, in a pre-clinical study, more notable trabecular bone ingrowth compared to PEEK and titanium-coated PEEK.ⁱⁱ
 
“The Fortilink-L System is the first osteointegrative, radiolucent cage,” said Joseph O’Brien, M.D., M.P.H., founder of the Washington Spine & Scoliosis Institute at OrthoBethesda in Bethesda, Md., and one of the first surgeons to implant the Fortilink-L device. “While other companies are focusing on titanium, TETRAfuse 3D Technology offers ingrowth features that help the implant to fully integrate with the fusing bone. It also has best-in-class X-ray compatibility, which allows me to track my patients’ progress with more confidence.”
 
John O’Toole, M.D., M.S., professor of Neurosurgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Ill., and one of the first surgeons to implant the Fortilink-TS device, added, “The introduction of TETRAfuse 3D Technology revolutionizes the interbody device market by combining a favorable modulus of elasticity, optimal imaging characteristics and a surface design promoting vigorous bone ingrowth. I believe TETRAfuse 3D Technology meets all the criteria for an interbody through enhanced biology, biomechanics and ease of use to help improve outcomes for patients.”
 
The Fortilink-L IBF System is intended for a lateral transpsoas approach to the lumbar spine, also known as lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) surgeries. The Fortilink-TS System is intended for traditional posterior approaches known as transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) or bilateral posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) surgeries. TETRAfuse 3D Technology features a nano-roughi surface with antibacterial characteristics^†iii and is designed to participate in fusionii without compromising mechanical integrityi or radiographic visibility.ⁱ
 
“Based on the positive feedback from our surgeon customers and its unique design, we believe TETRAfuse 3D Technology is a new frontier in spine surgery,” said Camille Farhat, president and CEO, RTI Surgical. “RTI is committed to ongoing clinical research and development of innovative spine-focused solutions that meet the demands of surgeons and improve patient outcomes.”
 
RTI commercially launched its first implant using TETRAfuse 3D Technology, the Fortilink-C IBF System, in October 2017. It is used as an interbody fusion device in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgeries. All Fortilink implants have received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
 
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is an age-related condition when one or more discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column deteriorate or break down.^iv A symptom of DDD can include low back pain (LBP),^iv which is the most common musculoskeletal condition affecting adults and the leading cause of disability worldwide.^v Approximately 40 percent of adults suffer from chronic low back pain at some point in their lifetime,^vi and healthcare costs and productivity losses associated with it are more than $50 billion annually.^vii Spinal fusion surgery is considered a viable treatment option for reducing pain and improving function in individuals diagnosed with DDD and LBP, who have not found relief with non-surgical care.^viii
 
RTI Surgical is a global surgical implant company providing surgeons with safe biologic, metal and synthetic implants. RTI’s implants are used in sports medicine, general surgery, spine, orthopedic and trauma procedures and are distributed in nearly 50 countries. RTI has four manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Europe. RTI is accredited in the U.S. by the American Association of Tissue Banks and is a member of the Advanced Medical Technology Association.
 
References
i Data on file at RTI Surgical, Inc.
ii Data on file at RTI Surgical, Inc. Performance data from animal studies may not be representative of performance in humans.
iii Wang M, Bhardwaj B, Webster T; Antibacterial properties of PEKK for orthopedic applications. Int’l Journal of Nanomedicine. 2017: 12 6471-6476. iv Donally C, Dulebohn S. Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease. StatPearls. Oct 2017. Online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448134/. Last accessed May 25, 2018.
v Allegri M, Montella S, Salici F, et al. Mechanisms for low back pain: a guide for diagnosis and therapy. F1000Research. Oct 2016. Online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4926733/. Last accessed May 25, 2018.
vi Manchikanti L, Singh V, Falco FJ, et al. Epidemiology of low back pain in adults. Neuromodulation. 2014 Oct;17 Suppl 2:3-10. Online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25395111. Last accessed May 25, 2018.
vii Licciardone JC. The epidemiology and medical management of low back pain during ambulatory medical care visits in the United States. Osteopath Med Prim Care. 2008; 2: 11. Online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2631527/. Last accessed May 25, 2018.
viii Phillips FM, Slosar PJ, Youssef JA et al. Lumbar spine fusion for chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease: a systematic review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Apr 1;38(7):E409-22. Online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23334400. Last accessed May 25, 2018.
 
†Lab data may not be representative of the effects with all bacteria or performance when implanted in humans. Staphyloccocus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were subject bacterial strains in this study.