Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/772947
21 DEVICES & INNOVATION "I think they recognize that surgeons no longer buy in to the holdover concerns about titanium from the cylindrical cage era. e marketed concept of modulus of elasticity-related subsidence has been proven to be false. And visualization concerns are no longer an issue since there is so much less metal in our implants than in the threaded implants of the past. e scatter effect on CT and MRI is virtually non-existent." However, the company's challenge will be to remain differentiated from other products as titanium becomes more popular. eir competi- tive edge? eir ability to orchestrate cellular behavior for rapid bone growth through nanotechnology. "In the company's early days, it was difficult to convince a surgeon of the importance of the nanoarchitecture of an interbody device in its ability to drive bone growth. It's just not something that they were trained to think about," says Mr. Shepherd. "However, as we produced more and more science on the topic, it became easier to talk to sur- geons about our technology and how something so small can have such a big impact on their patients. e key is to prompt the body's natural bone forming and healing processes the moment our device is implanted in to the disc space. at's exactly what nanoLOCK is designed to do." e Endoskeleton devices with nanoLOCK surface technology combine roughened topographies at the macro, micro and nano levels, designed for optimal host-bone response. e technology actively participates in the fusion process by promoting the upregulation of osteogenic and an- giogenic factors necessary for bone growth and fusion. "Provisions of the Affordable Care Act have incentivized healthcare providers and surgeons to look for high-value technology: devices that provide good outcomes for a fair cost. ere is now a higher emphasis on the 30- and 60-day episode of care, and the implant type can make a difference. As the paradigm shis from looking at one- or two-year out- comes to short-term results following surgery, we have data to suggest that we can help reduce length of stay, readmissions, post-op injections, and other metrics that affect short term outcomes and cost," says Mr. Shepherd. "at's where we think we can really help both patients and surgeons." Titan Spine experienced a 51 percent sales increase in 2015 over the previ- ous year and continues to report strong demand. In October, the company expanded its sales team to include nine new members to meet the grow- ing demand for Endoskeleton and support the nanoLOCK full launch. n Stryker Courts ASCs With Ascential Spine Device, Inventory Management Solution: 6 Things to Know By Laura Dyrda K alamazoo, Mich.-based Stryker introduced a new implant deliv- ery solution for low-acuity spine surgeries designed for the ambulatory surgery center. Here are six things to know: 1. The new solution, Ascential, offers sterile-packaged implants, customized service levels and a streamlined distri- bution model. It is intended for opera- tional efficiencies, competitive pricing and reduced operating costs for ASCs. 2. The implants are Stryker-manufac- tured in accordance with the compa- ny's quality standards. 3. The spine products available through Ascential include: • ACP 1 Anterior Cervical Plating System • IBD Peek Anterior Cervical Spacer System • VBA Vitoss Foam Pack 4. Ascential includes optional end-to- end radiofrequency identification in- ventory management with proprietary technology, allowing the sales repre- sentative and facility staff to monitor and manage inventory before, during and after surgery. The system is de- signed to reduce labor costs and en- sure implant availability. 5. All of the implant packaging is unique device identification-compliant and includes patient labels to promote traceability. 6. The surgery center keeps the in- struments after surgery, instead of al- lowing the sales rep to take the instru- ments for reprocessing, and sterilizes the implants on a schedule that makes sense for the facility. The inventory management program can be custom- ized for each facility. "Ambulatory surgery centers are of- ten focused on improving logistics, increasing efficiency and reducing costs," said Orrin Levine, senior di- rector, business solutions at Stryker. "The new Ascential solution positive- ly impacts all three — once it's up and running, processes for spinal fusion procedures can become even more simplified, repeatable and scalable." n "The key is to prompt the body's natural bone forming and healing process the moment our device is implanted into the disc space. That's exactly what nanoLOCK is designed to do." — Andrew Shepherd