Alethea is derived from the Greek word αληθεια (aletheia) meaning “truth” (Wikipedia). Alethea Spine was founded to develop spinal interbody, viscoelastic cages & discs.
Interbody Fusion Cages. Alethea will disrupt the I/F market just like AcroMed Spine did when it introduced the 1st polymer cage in the 1990s. This will be accomplished by introducing the 1st viscoelastic cage with a modulus of elasticity similar to cancellous bone, which is 87% LESS than the competition. Why?
Trabecular titanium’s modulus is the lowest on the market at 3.0 GPa, which is equal to 23.6% of cortical bone (12.7GPa) but 7X STIFFER than cancellous bone (0.45 GPa). If all of the forces being applied to the cage are through the outer cortical rim, then the chance of subsidence or loss of correction is reduced. But what happens if all or part of the cage is sitting on cancelllous bone? With most of the vertebra’s endplate being cancellous bone, this is likely to occur. Therefore, the ideal modulus is one that is similar to cancellous bone at 0.45 GPa. This is only possible by using a viscoelastic material, which is what Alethea has chosen for its cages.
Total Discs. AcroMed was also a pioneer in the pursuit of a viscoelastic disc that Dr. Arthur Steffee envisioned decades ago as the ideal solution to restore motion and stability. Through the failures of its predecessors, Alethea has the knowledge and answers to creating a viscoelastic cervical disc that will be superior to the existing discs on the market.
Future. The company that partners and eventually acquires Alethea will dominate both the cage and disc markets for years while the competition tries to catch up or find a way around Alethea’s IP. If you would like to learn more, please contact Chuck Birchall, Jr. ([email protected])
Company’s Keywords:
1
medical devices
2016
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