The first procedure using IlluminOss Medical's orthopedic fracture repair technology as part of the Lightfix clinical trial in Rhode Island took place at Rhode Island Hospital.
Here are five key notes on the procedure:
1. Richard Terek, MD, performed the surgery. He is an attending orthopedic surgeon at The Miriam and Rhode Island Hospital and chief of orthopedic surgery at Providence VA Medical Center. He has expertise in adult reconstructive surgery and musculoskeletal oncology.
2. The IlluminOss technology is designed for fracture fixation with a light-curable polymer contained within a balloon catheter. The system provides a percutaneous surgical approach for a patient-conforming implant to support bone affected by cancer.
3. Surgeons have used the system to treat thousands of patients in Europe, where the technology has been available since 2010.
4. Benefits of the IlluminOss system include a smaller incision, shorter procedure times and more rapid post-procedure patient morbidity with reduced hospital stays and lower complication rates.
5. Foundation Medical Partners, New Leaf Venture Partners, Tekla Capital Management, Life Science Partners, SR One, Longwood Fund, Excel Venture Management, Pappas Venture, Mieza Capital and the Slater Technology Fund funds IlluminOss. The company is currently enrolling patients at other U.S. surgical sites in the Lightfix clinical trial.
"In cases of metastatic carcinoma the cancer often destroys so much of the bone that it is difficult to achieve stabilization with a conventional rod," says Dr. Terek. "IlluminOss offers a less invasive approach designed to make more effective implants possible. I'm very satisfied with the results in this case to date and look forward to offering this treatment option to more patients who qualify."