Theken Spine
Jul 22, 2008

Akron, OH – (July 22, 2008) Theken Spine, a leader in spinal fixation systems, announces that design surgeon, James Bruffey, MD at Scripps Clinic-Torrey Pines, performed California’s first Vu aPOD anterior lumbar surgery.

Dr. Bruffey presented his concept for Vu aPOD in August 2006. The concept, now an FDA cleared implant, is an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) PEEK-Optima® implant, which uses a separate internal titanium buttress plate, SpinPlate™, to enhance implant stability. The SpinPlate requires no screws, no additional anterior soft tissue exposure, engages both vertebral endplates securely in a simple, one-step process, and has zero anterior profile.

In May 2007, Theken assigned a team of engineers to work closely with Dr. Bruffey to bring his concept to market. Bruffey reflects, “At a breakfast meeting, we reviewed the concept, by the end of the meeting, we knew we had a winner. From that point forward, we worked together to design the Vu aPOD PEEK-Optima implant, the SpinPlate and a comprehensive anterior lumbar instrument set.”

The Vu aPOD is the first anterior lumbar intervertebral fusion (ALIF) implant with an optional internal SpinPlate to receive FDA clearance. Theken received FDA clearance to market Vu aPOD in the United States in early July.

“The surgery went well,” states Bruffey. “It felt very good to use a device that I think improves the practice of anterior lumbar fusion surgery for my patients. The PEEK implant matches patient anatomy well, and the SpinPlate, anterior buttress plate, makes anterior implant stabilization safe and easy."

The Vu aPOD product launch is targeted for mid-Fall 2008.

About Theken, a family of companies
The Theken (Pronounced ‘tay-ken’) family of companies Theken Spine, LLC, Theken Disc, LLC, Theken Orthopaedic, Inc. and Therics, LLC (www.theken.com) specializes in pioneering spinal implant technologies that improve spinal surgical techniques benefiting patients as well as surgeons. Theken provides comprehensive product lines that offer surgeons peace of mind through steadfast product reliability and easy-to-use instrumentation. Products include cervical plates, pedicle screws, spacers, degenerative/deformity devices and trauma devices. Theken also leads the market in developing next generation artificial disc replacement technology.

Company Contact
Rachael Smith
Director of Communications
Theken Spine
Phone: 330-475-8601
Mobile: 330-807-2569
Email: rsmith@thekenspine.com


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