Leesburg’s K2M, Inc., a spinal device company that develops treatment solutions for complex spinal pathologies and procedures, has been recognized yet again.
The company’s SERENGETI Minimally Invasive Retractor System received a 2010 Medical Design Excellence Award. This is the second accolade for the spinal device, which also was recognized at the Orthopedics This Week Spine Technology Awards Banquet in November.
SERENGETI features a unique flexible polymer retractor, which is captured under the head of a cannulated screw and placed with the screw for secure, spine-based retraction. The retractor provides simplified access to the hard to reach L5-S1 levels, as well as rod introduction for multi-level complex posterior instrumentation procedures.
MDEA entries were evaluated on the basis of their design and engineering features, including innovative use of material; user-related functions that improve healthcare delivery and change traditional medical attitudes or practices; features that provide enhanced benefits to the patient; and the ability of the product development team to overcome design and engineering challenges so that the product meets its clinical objectives. A comprehensive review was performed by an impartial, multidisciplinary panel of third-party jurors with expertise in biomedical engineering, human factors, industrial design, medicine, and diagnostics.
“We are truly honored to be recognized as a 2010 MDEA Winner,” Eric Major, K2M’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “This achievement reflects K2M’s continued commitment to innovation and our ongoing goal to provide surgeons with new technologies to enhance patient care. We strive to develop more efficient approaches to address spinal surgery through very small incisions.”
