About This Blog:
- If the spine is fragile and susceptible to damage, the last thing you’d expect to help repair it is a growing, sponge-like device.
- Scientists from Mayo Clinic developed spinal grafts made from a spongy material to help replace vertebrae damaged by metastatic cancer.
- Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine explains what this device is and how it works to repair the spine.
Do you remember those spongy capsules you’d throw into a glass of water and watch grow? The “Magic Grow Capsules” would come in all different shapes and sizes like safari animals, dinosaurs, or sea creatures. According to The Technews, scientists from Mayo Clinic have developed a similar device to help repair spines damaged by metastatic cancer.
This capsule is not a growing animal, but it is a biodegradable polymer that increases in size to fill in gaps within the spinal column. This technology may sound a little too good to be true, but various trials have found the device is capable of growing the appropriate size and shape for necessary spinal repairs.
Surgeons can control the expansion of this device by first inserting a pre-expanded hollow shell in the area of the removed vertebrae. Once this “cage” is in place, the polymer then absorbs fluids from the wound and fills in areas needing support. The expansion process takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
After the allotted time, the gap is filled, set, and tightened into a durable prosthetic. According to the scientists, the surrounding bone tissue will eventually grow into the space and cement it in place. Traditionally, expandable titanium rods are put in the place to help restore spinal height. Although this is effective, the recovery process can be long and somewhat costly.
This new device, which does not have a name yet, is said to be a less expensive and less invasive option for patients needing this type of surgery. So far, the technology has only been used in laboratory tests. In the coming months, however, the research team at Mayo Clinic hopes to begin clinical trials on cadavers. Should this be successful, the test will eventually be performed on live humans.
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit https://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.