SIGNUS – Maximise performance in thoracolumbar posterior fixation
In situ removable tulips
Standard, reduction or MIS tulips
When developing pedicle screws for posterior fixation and correction of the spine, manufacturers are confronted with high demands they have to meet for a variety of indications in a fast-evolving environment. Consequently, over time they have developed different solutions that include different screws and instrument sets for the different treatment options. As a result, spine surgeons often have to deal with different screw systems when performing correction and stabilisation treatments.
In this context, a pedicle screw system capable of covering many indications and options, thus satisfying a wide array of user’s demands, clearly offers multiple advantages: it maximises functionality and intraoperative flexibility, and simultaneously, it reduces the time spent on handling and processing of instruments and streamlines the implant inventory.
The new DIPLOMAT pedicle screw system presented by SIGNUS at the recent Eurospine meeting offers all these advantages. “The main focus of DIPLOMAT is the optimised balance between clinical performance and user-friendliness in different indications,” says SIGNUS managing director Uwe Siedler. “It combines maximum clinical efficiency with all the important properties required for optimum patient treatment.”
The pedicle screws are a modular two-piece implant: depending on the indication and surgical situation, the screws can be assembled with the appropriate tulips. This reduces significantly the number of screws on stock and gives more intraoperative flexibility. If necessary, the tulips can be removed and replaced in situ during surgery. The patented ELASTOLOK® locking mechanism ensures the highest strength for the screw/tulip connection.
Additionally, a very low tulip profile of only 14.9 millimeters guarantees optimal anatomical alignment and prevents any protrusion of the tulip, even in slim or young patients, ensuring optimal adaptation to the patient’s anatomy.
Because the pedicle screws are cannulated, as well as being fenestrated from a diameter of 5.5 millimeters, the surgeon can perform augmentation at any time, allowing intraoperative issues to be more easily resolved. The comfortable screw-cannula diameter of 1.9 millimeters also allows the use of stronger guide wires, which noticeably stabilises the insertion of the pedicle screw during MIS procedures and improves the cement flow.
The DIPLOMAT pedicle screws have a self-tapping double thread that provides the best possible fixation and perfect anchoring in the bone. The high thread pitch enables faster insertion which considerably shortens surgery time.
Self-tapping double thread
Perfect fixation and anchoring, even without tapping
DIPLOMAT system components cover a complete selection of options, all with a sophisticated design. When treating long segments of the spine, innovative telescopic cross-connectors secure the instrumentation while parallel connectors allow for simple subsequent treatments with varying rod diameters. The surgeon can choose between titanium or cobalt chrome rods and is able to cover all situations.
Compared to the majority of screw systems, DIPLOMAT has managed to slim down the number of instrument containers considerably. All instruments are arranged in only two containers without compromising versatility, thus significantly reducing time and costs associated with logistics and reprocessing in the hospital.
SIGNUS Medizintechnik GmbH
T: +49 (0) 6023 9166 0
E: info@signus.com
