For over 30 years, spinal fusion has been considered the “gold standard” in treating a range of spinal conditions. 

Despite incremental advances in spinal fusion technology, traditional rigid fixation systems (TRFS) used today are notable for their consistency: straight, highly rigid rods and pedicle screws to secure the vertebrae and promote fusion. The rigidity of these systems disrupts the biomechanics of the spine and forces adjacent vertebrae in the spinal column to bear unnatural and excessive loads. Over time, these disruptions lead to instability.  Moreover, increasing lifespans and other demographic changes are focusing more attention on these long-term effects, including adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) and the need for additional surgery (re-operation) after spinal fusion. 

At Aposture, we believe there is a better way for spinal fusion.

✴ Aposture Surgical has reengineered the fixation system for spinal fusion with significant design innovations: (1) changed the material of the rod to nitinol (a shape-memory alloy); (2) incorporated a spring-coil structure for the rod; and (3) used an interbody cage for additional stability (not shown in the video below).

✴ The ApostureFlex Functional Spinal Fixation System achieves the ideal balance between rigidity and flexibility necessary to stabilize the spine for fusion and to preserve natural load-sharing dynamics and range of motion. In short, ApostureFlex achieves fusion at the degenerated segment, but preserves the natural biomechanics of the spine to the maximum extent possible.

✴   In studies, ApostureFlex most closely achieved a natural anterior-posterior load-sharing ratio: natural (80:20); BioFlex (75:25).  Notably, in a long-term follow-up study, ApostureFlex significantly lowered rates of adjacent segment degeneration, and more importantly, demonstrated an unprecedented reduction in re-operations following spinal fusion surgery.

Note: The ApostureFlex System is developmental.  It has not been cleared or approved by the FDA and is not being offered for sale in the United States at this time.  Check back for news on our innovation pipeline.