Researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia are developing and testing the Thru-Fuze device to promote bone growth during spinal fusion, according to a HospiMedica report.
Here are five key notes on the technology:
1. The Thru-Fuze is made of porous titanium to promote bone growth and overtime acts as a bridge between adjacent vertebrae for biomechanical fixation without a bone graft procedure or supporting metallic hardware.
2. The device is designed for a simpler surgery with minimal radiation exposure compared with other fusion methods.
3. The Thru-Fuze technology underwent animal testing and demonstrated rapid biomedical fixation. The human trials are expected to begin late next years at Prince of Wales Hospital in Australia.
4. The future of the technology is exclusively licensed to Intellectual Ventures and the company filed patents for the technology in Australia, Europe, China and the United States.
5. The system may also have cost savings as a less invasive procedure.