CareFusion has launched a new, smaller balloon for kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty treatments of spinal fractures. The 11-gauge device is used along with the AVAmax Vertebral Augmentation system to help deliver bone cement to injured vertebrae.
The 11-gauge vertebral balloon is inserted through a cannula that is 17 percent smaller and a balloon shaft that is 25 percent smaller than any other vertebral balloon on the market. This design miniaturization helps make the procedure less invasive for patients without compromising the clinical efficacy of the device since it still meets the pressure and volume requirements of legacy vertebral balloons. For clinicians, the tungsten radiopaque tip enables excellent visibility under imaging, helping to ensure safe deployment of the balloon in the vertebral body.
In March 2010, CareFusion launched the eight- and 10-gauge vertebral balloon as components to the all-in-one AVAmax® Vertebral Augmentation system. In addition to the three different gauge vertebral balloons, the AVAmax Vertebral Balloon is part of an all-in-one system that contains bone cement and delivery instruments for kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty, the two primary approaches to treat spinal compression fractures by delivering bone cement into the vertebral space with specialized needles.
Press release: CareFusion Launches Innovative Vertebral Balloon That Gives Surgeons More Options to Treat Spinal Fractures