Stenum Surgeon Does First M6 Artificial Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery

admin Portfolio News, Spinal Kinetics

Leading spine surgeon Dr. Karsten Ritter-Lang, M.D. announced the successful implantation of the first patient with the Spinal Kinetics M6-L artificial lumbar disc, and the commencement of the system’s initial commercial launch in Europe.  
 
Somerfeld, Germany (PRWEB) April 9, 2009 — Leading spine surgeon Dr. Karsten Ritter-Lang, M.D. announced the successful implantation of the first patient with the Spinal Kinetics M6-L artificial lumbar disc, and the commencement of the system’s initial commercial launch in Europe.  
 
The M6-L artificial disc represents the company’s second non-fusion, motion preservation product to treat degenerative diseases of the spine. The company launched its M6-C artificial cervical disc in Europe three years ago. To date, over 3,000 discs have been implanted. Like the M6-C, the M6-L lumbar disc is an advanced generation artificial disc developed to replace an intervertebral disc damaged by disc degeneration. It is the only replacement disc that replicates the anatomic structure of a natural lumbar disc by incorporating an artificial nucleus and annulus. Together, the nucleus and annulus are designed to provide the same motion characteristics of a natural disc.  
 
The M6-L’s compressible polymer nucleus is designed to simulate the function of the native nucleus, while the surrounding multi-layer high tensile strength fiber annulus is intended to facilitate a controlled range of motion in multiple directions. The M6 artificial disc is implanted with proprietary surgical instrumentation. This specialized system was designed with surgeon feedback and is intended for simple, safe, and reproducible M6 implantation.  
 
Artificial disc technology provides an alternative to spinal fusion in the treatment of degenerative disc disease. Preserving motion with an artificial disc provides an opportunity to restore biomechanical function at the treated level after disc removal, as well as the possibility to reduce subsequent degeneration of adjacent segments.  
 
“The ability to replicate the motion characteristics of a natural disc with a prosthesis designed like the M6-L lumbar disc is a major advancement in technology that may benefit the long term outcomes of an artificial lumbar disc patient,” states Dr. Ritter-Lang, “We were pleased with the simplicity of implantation with this platform and will now follow these patients to assess the clinical performance of this prosthesis.”  
 
Founded in 2003, Spinal Kinetics is a privately-held medical device company focused on partnering with spine surgeons to develop innovative and practical motion preservation systems for treating degenerative diseases of the spine. The company is located in Sunnyvale, California. For more information on the company and the M6 artificial discs visit http://www.spinalkinetics.com.  
 
Stenum Hospital is now using the breakthrough Spinal Kinetics M6 implant. This implant achieves the ultimate goal of replicating the healthy human disc. By providing shock absorption and graded variable motion resistance, the M6 works in concert with the remaining human discs, to provide the best possible outcome. This “Quality of Motion” is a major benefit not available in any other implant we have seen! The M6 implant is approved for use in Europe. See http://www.StenumHospital.com