Amedica's ceramic spinal implant:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Orthopaedics firm Amedica has been granted a special 510(k) marketing clearance by the US FDA for its Valeo ceramic vertebral body replacement (VBR) spinal implant. The device is intended to aid in surgical stabilisation of the thoracolumbar spine. The Valeo VBR incorporates the Salt Lake City, Utah company's novel silicon nitride ceramic, which provides functionalities that are not available in devices currently on the market. The implant should restore the biomechanical integrity of the anterior, middle and posterior spine, even in the absence of fusion, for a prolonged period of time, said the company.