Medtronic Announces Launch Of X-Stop® Peek IPD® System For U.S. Patients Suffering From Symptoms Of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

More new technology that can take spinal surgery treatments to an outpatient procedure and reduce fusion. The potential is here to relieve pinched nerves as well. Amazing that it can also be done with local anesthesia as well. The procedure is also a fully reversible procedure does not limit any future non-surgical and surgical treatment options. BD

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), today announced the U.S. launch of the X-STOP PEEK IPD System, the first interspinous process decompression (IPD) device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that offers a PEEK-Bone interface for treating the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). LSS is the most common reason for back surgery in people over the age of 65 in the United States.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymer, a biomaterial widely accepted for spinal applications, provides several benefits such as biocompatibility and radiolucency (allows the passage of X-rays). Medtronic's launch of the PEEK version, the second generation of the X-STOP system, gives spine surgeons the option of using this material in IPD procedures.

What is X-Stop^® IPD^® Procedure? (from the website)

The X-STOP^® IPD Procedure is a surgical procedure in which an implant, called the X-STOP^® IPD Implant , is placed between two bones called spinous processes in the back of your spine.

With the X-STOP^® IPD^® Procedure there is no removal of bone or soft tissue. The X-STOP^® IPD^® Implant is not positioned close to nerves or the spinal cord, but rather behind the spinal cord between the bony spinous process.

The procedure may be performed in either the operating room or special procedures room at the hospital. Using local anesthesia and with the help of X-ray guidance, the X-STOP^® IPD^® Implant is inserted through a small incision in the skin of your back. Alternatively, your surgeon may elect to use general anesthesia.

You will be placed on your side during the procedure so that you can bend your spine when the X-STOP^® IPD^® Impant is inserted. The procedure to insert the X-STOP^® IPD^® Impant typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half. During this time you may be awake and able to communicate with your doctor.