According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), the annual incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) is around 12,000 new cases each year in the United States. This statistic is based on numbers from 1990s, because there haven't been any incidence studies of SCI since that time, but it is safe to assume based on the increase of population the numbers could be much higher. Because SCI injuries can vary in severity, individuals can manifest symptoms as minor as occasional pain all the way to complete paralysis.
Life Spine, Inc., which provides spinal patients with increased procedural efficiency and efficacy through innovative design and the most technologically advanced manufacturing platforms, has been awarded three patents by the United States Patent Trademark Office (USPTO).
These three patents 8,512,407, 8,486,148, and 8,475,461, are part of a portfolio including 49 patents and more than 100 separate patent filings submitted by the company.
US Patent No: 8,512,407 is an expandable spinal interbody and intravertebral body devices issued on Aug 20, 2013. The patent abstract describes this as “A device for insertion into a spinal (intervertebral or intravertebral) space is expandable from a first circumference to a second circumference through axial compression of segments of the device, particularly once the device has been properly situated within a vertebral space. The interbody/intravertebral body device is characterized by a plurality of axially stacked, individual segments that are provided on a central insertion and deployment rod. Each segment includes a central plate or body to which are pivotally attached plate or leaf structures. Pivoting of the structures provides a collapsed or unexpanded position of the first circumference and an open or expanded position of the second circumference.”
US Patent No: 8,486,148 is a patent for hinged spinal fusion cages issued on Jul 16, 2013, and the third patent, US Patent No: 8,475,461, is an instruments for installing multisection intervertebral spinal implants issued on Jul 2, 2013
"With the addition of these patents, we continue to grow our position as a full line innovative spine company. These patents are translated into the ProLift Expandable Spacer System, designed for minimally invasive keyhole insertion while providing easy expansion and maximum endplate coverage," said Michael Butler, president and chief executive officer of Life Spine.
Edited by
Rachel Ramsey
