Abbott’s Wallis trial
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
First subject implanted in the U.S. with the firm's Wallis dynamic stabilization spinal implant to treat degenerative disc disease as part of a 340-patient, 20-center clinical trial to support PMA approval. Unlike total disc replacement, such as Johnson & Johnson's Charité, the device does not require an abdominal insertion and does not replace the disc but instead re-routes spinal load through the use of spacers. Abbott acquired Wallis developer Spine Next for $60 mil. in 2004 (1"The Gray Sheet" Nov. 1, 2004, p. 5)...