Aesculap Implant Systems, LLC Stresses The Importance Of Precision And Control In Fracture Reduction Of The Spine

Center Valley, PA (April 30, 2010) More than twenty-five thousand patients seek emergency medical treatment for spinal trauma each year. The most common are burst fractures of the vertebral body in the thoracolumbar region. The vast majority of these cases are treated with simple rods attached to the pedicles from a posterior approach and manipulated by the Neurological or Orthopaedic Spine surgeon. This procedure has been relatively unchanged for the last 20 years. Although accepted in the orthopaedic and neurological communities as the standard of care, this approach can be difficult to learn, control, and reproduce, particularly in lower volume trauma hospitals and teaching institutions. With the introduction of Aesculap Implant Systems’ S4 FRI, or Fracture Reduction Instrumentation, fracture treatment of the spine can now be accomplished with control, precision, and is easily reproducible. “It is important for neurological and orthopaedic spine surgeons to have other (or better) options when reducing, distracting and correcting burst fractures in the thoracolumbar region. This S4 FRI system completely eliminates the imprecise manual manipulation to reduce fractures in this highly sensitive and vulnerable region of the spine,” states Dr. Dinh of the Illinois Neurological Institute in Peoria, IL.

The Aesculap Implant Systems FRI System allows the spine surgeon to perform realignment, distraction and compression of the fracture site through the S4 pedicle screw and rod system. These three functions can be performed together or independently through a small incision or percutaneous approach. Realignment to the lordotic state is controlled through adjustment knobs that allow for small, microincremental manipulation of the fracture site. Manual distraction can also be accomplished by utilizing the distraction instruments (provided in the instrument set) in conjunction with the S4 FRI System. “The S4 FRI system is the first and only fracture treatment system that allows for precision realignment of the fracture site. This singular quality is very important to our teaching institutions and centers that do not handle a high volume of spinal trauma cases,” states Dr. Dalton of Erie PA.

About Aesculap Implant Systems, LLC

Aesculap was founded in 1867 in Tuttlingen, Germany and has grown into the largest and one of the most respected manufacturers of surgical instruments in the world. Over the years, Aesculap has continued to evolve into a diversified healthcare corporation by focusing its expertise in the areas of orthopaedics, spinal implants, neurosurgery and vascular systems and sutures. In order to be more responsive to its growing customer base in spine and orthopaedics, Aesculap, Inc. formed a new company, Aesculap Implant Systems, LLC. This new company will focus on these unique markets allowing for greater innovation and customer service. Aesculap Implant Systems maintains a surgeon/patient focus with the goal of improved operative procedures and patient

outcomes leading to an improved quality of life. For more information about Aesculap Implant Systems and the products we offer call, 8002349179, email

us at info@aesculap.com or visit www.AesculapImplantSystems.com.

About B. Braun

Since its founding in 1839, B. Braun has built an unparalleled store of knowledge and expertise in delivering innovative healthcare products, medical devices and programs that enhance both patient and health professional safety. Its 30,000 employees worldwide are proud of their commitment to translating customer needs into products with unmatched quality, superior technology, cost effectiveness and environmental responsibility. Through its “Sharing Expertise ® ” initiative, B. Braun promotes best practices for continuous improvement of healthcare products and services. For more information about B. Braun or its safety healthcare products, call 8008546851, email us at inquiry@bbraun.com or visit B. Braun at www.bbraunusa.com.