Orthopedic surgeon John DeVine, MD, of Augusta (Ga.) University Medical Center performed the first procedure with Spinal Elements' Sapphire X Anterior Cervical Fixation System, according to a Dec. 11 press release.
The system uses instrumentation and high angulation screws to help surgeons while preserving the patient's skeletal and muscle tissue, the release said.
"My first case with Sapphire X was seamless," Dr. DeVine said in the release. "The single step insertion of both the interbody spacer and anterior plate was so effective, that it is quite impossible to make this procedure easier than it is with this system. The plate delivery system allows me to implant the plate safely without obstructing my visibility compared to connected plate-cage systems."
After the procedure, the implant minimizes disruption to the patient's anatomy, the release said.
"This first procedure with Sapphire X is an exciting step forward for the MIS Ultra suite of products," Jason Blain, Spinal Elements CEO said in the release. We are pleased to offer an innovative solution in the anterior cervical fixation market segment and expand our disruptive MIS Ultra procedural offering."
Read more here.