FDA approves pedicle screw fixations (DePuy) for adolescent Scoliosis patients

DePuy Synthes has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for use of its Expedium, Viper, and Viper2 Spine Systems on patients with adolescent idiopathic Scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine that typically affects children between the ages of 10 and 18. The new indication clears the way for the devices to be used in posterior non-cervical pedicle screw fixation in adolescent patients. The Expedium technology was first introduced in 2004. The Viper and Viper2 Spine Systems have been used in minimally invasive spine surgery for a wide range of pathologies since 2005 and 2008, respectively.