TOPS Spine Motion Preserving Device in Germany

TOPS™ System Launches in Germany

Motion Preserving Spine Device Eliminates Need for Fusion in Patients with Severe Lumbar Spine Stenosis

Press Release Source: Premia Spine Ltd.

RAMAT POLEG, Israel, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Premia Spine, Ltd. announced today that the company has commercially launched the TOPS™ System and its adjunct Versalink™ Fixation System in Germany.

"We are excited about the opportunity to provide German patients with a clinically-proven, superior solution to lumbar spinal fusion," stated Ron Sacher, CEO of Premia Spine. "The TOPS™ System has demonstrated its immediate and sustained benefit for patients suffering from severe spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis."

First cases in Germany were performed by Dr. Thomas Bierstedt, a neurosurgeon with the Orthopädisch-Neurochirurgisches Zentrum (ONZ), which serves the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.  The ONZ sees patients from Köln, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg, Bochum, Recklinghausen, and Hattingen as well as a high number of international patients from North and South America and the Middle East.  Dr. Bierstedt is a leading spine surgeon with strong command of the latest minimally invasive, posterior arthroplasty and artificial disc technologies.

“I am very pleased with what I have seen so far with my first four patients,” explains Dr. Bierstedt.  “Patients are very mobile and free from the pain of spinal stenosis and spondylolithesis.” 

Traditional spine surgery for lumbar stenosis involves removing tissue elements pressing on the nerve roots and stabilizing the spine with rigid metal rods. There is usually a long convalescence after such procedures.

The TOPS™ System is a dynamic spinal implant designed to replace the extracted skeletal structures and stabilize the spine without permanently locking the adjacent vertebrae.  Instead, clinicians allow the vertebrae to continue moving normally with the assistance of the TOPS™ implant. The TOPS™ System allows full motion at the operative level, while prohibiting excessive twists and turns.  It recreates the physiologic motion in flexion, extension, lateral bending, axial rotation and translation.  No other device performs this range of function.   

As no fusion is taking place in the lower back, there are no restrictions placed on patients and their activity after the TOPS™ System surgery.  Premia Spine’s TOPS System has been demonstrated to provide better outcomes than lumbar spinal fusion surgery in clinical studies conducted around the globe since 2005. 

   Contact:
    Ron Sacher
    ronsacher@premiaspine.com
    http://www.besseralswirbelfusion.de or www.betterthanspinalfusion.com