Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), the global leader in medical technology, today announced that it has enrolled its first patient and completed the first surgical procedure in its BRAIVE™ IDE study, which will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Braive™ growth modulation system for treatment of progressive Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).
The first patient was recruited by The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom. The device is Medtronic’s latest innovation in the pediatric spine category, and the study’s initiation reaffirms the company’s commitment to continued innovation for pediatric patients.
About 4% of children globally have scoliosis, making it one of the most common pediatric orthopedic deformities.1 It occurs when the vertebrae twist or rotate, causing the spine to curve into a “C” or “S” shape, rather than a straight line. It typically occurs in children and impacts girls more often than boys. Standard treatment options may include braces or spinal fusion surgery. According to the National Scoliosis Foundation, an estimated 30,000 children a year receive a brace to treat their condition, while 38,000 patients are treated with spinal fusion.2 While successful in correcting the spine’s curve, spinal fusion causes vertebrae to fuse together into a single bone, which stops growth in that area of the spine.
The Braive growth modulation system uses a braid secured to the spine with screws to slow growth on the curved side of the spine, while allowing growth to continue on the other side. The BRAIVE IDE study will evaluate whether the system is safe and effective in correcting the spine’s curve in patients with juvenile or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The prospective, multi-center study will enroll patients in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
“There continues to be an unmet need for medical devices specifically tailored to pediatric patients,” said Andrew Bowey, consultant orthopedic surgeon, Newcastle Hospitals, and BRAIVE IDE study principal investigator. “The Braive system is designed to correct scoliosis while allowing the spine to continue to grow, which is important for adolescents who are experiencing their most significant period of growth. I’m excited about its potential and the ability to bring this study to my patients who may benefit.”
“Launching the BRAIVE IDE study is our latest step in bringing life-changing technologies to pediatric patients,” said Carlton Weatherby, vice president and general manager of Spine & Biologics within the Cranial & Spinal Technologies business, which is part of the Neuroscience Portfolio at Medtronic. “As image guidance and navigation compatibilities extend further into additional spinal implant systems indicated for pediatric populations, they are coupled with a rapid cadence of transformative implant innovation. This uniquely positions us to offer the most comprehensive and integrated ecosystem of procedural solutions to pediatric spine surgeons driving meaningful improvements in clinical outcomes for young patients.”