Dublin, Ireland – 11 October 2017 –Today, DePuy Synthes, part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, unveiled the VIPER PRIME™ System, an innovative Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) pedicle screw designed to simplify MIS spinal fusion surgery. VIPER PRIME reduces the number of instruments needed, the number of instrument passes and the number of steps required to insert a percutaneous screw utilizing a minimally invasive technique. The product was shown for the first time during this week’s EUROSPINE 2017 congress taking place in Dublin, Ireland.
Minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery is gaining popularity thanks to evidence that it may help improve outcomes when performing surgery through a smaller skin incision, which leads to less trauma to surrounding soft tissue, reduced blood loss during operation, and potentially a faster recovery for patients(3,4). However, as MIS fusion becomes more common, there is a need to simplify these procedures and overcome clinical challenges associated with the current technology.
By combining all the pedicle preparation instruments into one single tool, the VIPER PRIME System eliminates the need for guidewires, Jamshidi needles and additional pedicle preparation instruments. In one bench study, the VIPER PRIME System demonstrated a 33 percent reduction in the time required to insert a pedicle screw compared to traditional MIS techniques(2). 
“I find the VIPER PRIME System easy and straightforward and I look forward to using it again for my future spinal fusion cases,” said Dr Kavakebi, an early user of the system from University Hospital Innsbruck, Austria.
Dr. Bordon from Hospital Manises, Valencia, Spain, who conducted the first surgery with the system in Europe concludes, “My OR team were very positive about the ease of assembly and the low footprint of the new system, that led to a more organized operating room.”
The VIPER PRIME System requires only two instrument trays, which may result in a more organized back table with fewer instruments, enhancing surgical workflow. The streamlined instrument set means a smaller procedural footprint that can also help reduce waste and processing costs.
“As a leader in pedicle screw technology, we have a responsibility to continue to innovate ways to make spinal fusion surgery less invasive for patients and less complicated for surgeons,” said Nadav Tomer, Global Platform Leader, DePuy Synthes Spine.
“The VIPER® System has more than ten years of clinical heritage and this introduction of VIPER PRIME is our latest example of how we are providing differentiated technologies that simplify spine surgery, making it more reproducible for every surgeon while improving patient outcomes,” concluded Jordy Winters, DePuy Synthes Spine EMEA Lead.
About DePuy Synthes Companies
DePuy Synthes, part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, provides one of the most comprehensive orthopaedics portfolios in the world. DePuy Synthes solutions, in specialties including joint reconstruction, trauma, craniomaxillofacial, spinal surgery and sports medicine, are designed to advance patient care while delivering clinical and economic value to health care systems worldwide. For more information, visit www.depuysynthes.com .
Notes to editors
The VIPER PRIME System is currently being introduced to health care professionals in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region during educational and industry events. Full EMEA commercial availability of this tool is expected in early 2018.
The third-party trademarks used herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
©Johnson & Johnson Medical Limited. 2017. All rights reserved.
Registered Office: Johnson & Johnson Medical Limited, PO BOX 1988, Simpson Parkway, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 0AB, United Kingdom. Incorporated and registered in Scotland under company number SC132162
References
- VIPER PRIMETM System Overview – DSEM/SPN/0617/0698
- Internal data on file: ADAPTIV test report 103327910. Note: Bench tests results may not necessarily be indicative of clinical performance.
- Jhala, Amit, et al. Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Indian Journal of Orthopaedics 48(6) (2014 Nov-Dec); 562-567
- Peng, Chan Weam Benedict, et al. Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Versus Open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion. SPINE Vol. 34, Number 13 (2009); 1385-1389.
DSEM/SPN/1017/0761