Medtronic’s Momentum in Innovation ContinuesMedtronic’s Momentum in Innovation Continues

Medtronic seems to be on a roll when it comes to innovation. The Dublin-based company has received the greenlight from FDA for an expanded indication of the Kyphon HV-R Bone Cement.

Under the new indication, Medtronic can market Kyphon for the fixation of pathological fractures of the sacral vertebral body using sacral vertebroplasty or sacroplasty.

Sacral insufficiency fractures (SIFs) are a common cause of debilitating back pain. SIFs mimic the symptoms of lumbar spine pathology. Studies show more than two-thirds of patients diagnosed with SIFs aren't able to associate their pain with a traumatic event. As a result, physicians often prescribe conservative treatment, including physical therapy and prolonged bed rest.

"Early intervention is an important consideration for both hospital costs and patient outcomes," said Jeff Cambra, vice president and general manager of the Interventional Pain Therapies business, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic said in a release. "Combined with our 20 years of experience in vertebral compression fractures, this new indication for our bone cement solution allows us to continue to make an impact on vertebral compression fracture and sacral insufficiency diagnosis treatment in the U.S. by giving physicians options to deliver the best clinical solutions to their patients."

Medtronic gained access to the technology when it acquired Kyphon for $3.9 billion in 2007.

This is the second technology Medtronic has brought to the forefront in as many days. The firm said it had a partnership with Tel Aviv, Israel-based Nutrion to use the Foot Print Report along with the myLog app to help make it easier for patients to understand the link between meals and glucose variability.