June 10, 2011

Vertebral Body Stent (VBS or Stentoplasty) and Vertecem V+

Roger Härtl, Jean Ouellet, Andreas Korge, Robert McGuire, Paul Heini

Fig 1ab Comparison of flow behavior between a front-opening (a) and a side-opening (b) needle.

The vertebral body stent (VBS) system is a minimally invasive, percutaneous, reconstructive treatment for vertebral body fractures. The VBS system is intended for the reduction of painful vertebral compression fractures and/or creation of a void in cancellous bone in the spine for the treatment of levels ranging from T5-L5. It is intended to be used in combination with a legally marketed polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based bone cement adequately indicated for use in vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedures.

Vertecem V+

Vertecem V+ is for percutaneous injection of PMMA as filler material within (eg, stentoplasty) or without (vertebroplasty) an intervertebral framework. Many different products are available on the market to cover both solutions.

Vertecem V+ is unique because it:

Is ready to use directly upon mixing (no need to wait for the cement to reach the right viscosity)
Offers prolonged working time (less stress for the surgeon through reduced time constraints/the opportunity to perform multilevel interventions)
Offers better visibility under x-ray through the incorporation of more radiopacifiers, which are also distributed more evenly inside the PMMA cement

The vertecem V+ syringe kit offers syringes in 5 x 2 mL and 8 x 2 mL sizes. The design features strong syringes, color coding for different volumes, and ergonomic handling.

The vertebroplasty needle kit features 8 gauge (blue), 10 gauge (yellow), and 12 gauge (green) diamond- and beveled-tip needles. It also offers an optional biopsy solution for 8 gauge and 10 gauge needles.

The design of this product achieves three goals:

Long working time: (up to 27 minutes at room temperature) therefore less stress for the surgeon during the intervention and enough time for multilevel procedures.
Increased initial viscosity: Ready to use directly upon mixing. Potentially lower risk for leakage and shorter operative time.
Better x-ray visibility: Better control of cement flow and thus less risk of leakage.

Fig 2 All needles can be used for injection of cement through the front or through a side opening for better control of cement flow.

Fig 3 Vertecem V+ syringes have wide integrated wings and reinforced syringe pistons to guarantee excellent force transfer combined with good tactile feedback.

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