Mazor Surgical Technologies Ltd. (TASE:MZOR) yesterday reported near perfect results of the first comprehensive study using the company's miniature robotic spinal surgery system, the SpineAssist, in procedures in children. The study was conducted at Scottish Rite in Atlanta, and at Duke University at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The procedures were for spinal scoliosis and deformity.
Mazor quotes the chief researcher, Dr. Dennis Devito, as saying that 99.9% of the implants positioned with the help of the SpineAssist were in line with the clinical requirements. He added that only a few implants were not optimally positioned, but with no clinical harm to the patient.
The study included 80 children, who received 1,163 implants in 647 vertebrae. The implants are designed to correct the severe spinal scoliosis and deformity in the children. The procedures were especially difficult due to the severe deformity of the vertebrae and the difficulty in navigating and placing the implants.
None of the children had to undergo further corrective surgery after the first procedure, an extraordinary result in this field. This result contrasts to the figures in the published literature, which show implant inaccuracy rate of 20-40% in regular spinal procedures, and a 10% inaccuracy rate which incurs clinical consequences.
Mazor's share price fell 1% by mid-afternoon today to NIS 11.08, giving a market cap of NIS 236 million. The share price rose 6.3% yesterday, following the announcement.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 3, 2010
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