Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1499620
18 DEVICES & IMPLANTS Highmark to cover ZimVie's vertebral body tethering device By Carly Behm Z imVie's vertebral body tethering system for scoliosis recieved a positive medical policy decision from Highmark, the devicemaker said March 15. Under this policy, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association will cover ZimVie's technology, according to a news release. It went into effect Jan. 30 for Highmark and March 6 for BCBS North Dakota. ZimVie's Tether device is a non-fusion scoliosis system and is the first FDA-approved device for VBT. "Highmark is an independent licensee of the BCBS Association which covers Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, West Virginia and BCBS North Dakota. n Surgalign launches upgrade to spine system By Carly Behm S urgalign launched its next generation of the Holo Portal spine guidance system, the medtech company said March 20. The new upgrades include more than 250 software enhancements, hardware updates and integration with new instruments, according to a news release. The developments were designed to bolster support for lumbar pedicle screw placement. "As part of our limited market release of Holo Portal last year, we worked closely with our surgeon partners to incorporate their feedback from clinical use to advance Holo Portal's capabilities," Surgalign President and CEO Terry Rich said in the release. "We expect this release to increase the utilization of Holo Portal among both current and future surgeons, as it better supports screw placement in open procedures, which represents about 80 percent of lumbar fusions, while providing a better workflow and operating environment." Additional upgrades are planned later in 2023, Mr. Rich said. n CoreLink's SI joint fusion system cleared By Carly Behm CoreLink's Siber Ti sacroiliac joint fusion system received FDA 510(k) clearance, the devicemaker said March 29. The implants use the company's patented Mimetic metal designed to emulate natural bone, according to a news release. The Siber Ti system includes a portfolio of fully porous, nano-surfaced, 3D-printed implants. "Siber Ti will provide surgeons versatility for use in posterior, oblique, and lateral implantation approaches, while compression and non-compression implants allow for use in trauma and non-trauma related cases," CoreLink CEO Jay Bartling said in the release. n Augmedics adds new features, indications for AR spine system By Carly Behm Augmedics' Xvision system for spine surgery can now be used for cervical and iliosacral cases, the medtech company said March 8. e new indications come along with added features to Xvision including artificial intelligence image enhancement and customizable views, according to a news release. Xvision previously had indications for thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine cases. "is is a significant step forward for Xvision in what is proving already to be a noteworthy year," Augmedics President and CEO, Kevin Hykes, said in the release. "Our new cervical and iliosacral indications mean more surgeons – and consequently more patients – are benefiting from the accuracy, precision, and confidence of xvision navigation. We are also thrilled to launch our first application of AI, which represents the tip of the iceberg in terms of decision support and planning tools for surgeons." Xvision has been deployed in 21 states. In January, Augmedics marked 3,000 total cases with the system. n