Culture of Innovation
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Celeste Abjornson, PhD, and Dr. Frank Cammisa are using nanotechnology, which is new to the spine, to improve the success of back surgery.
A surgical patch for back pain
doesn’t regain its strength. So there is
to use a novel technique involving
an area of weakness, which can allow
nanotechnology — specifically carbon
further degeneration.
nanotubes, which are durable. This
Every year, roughly 2 percent of
The HSS Spine Service has been at the
the AnnuloPatch, is designed to be
Americans herniate a spinal disc, the
forefront of investigating better solutions
stronger and thinner than currently
shock- a bsorbing structure located
for patients for many years. In the case
available technologies. The patch has
between the vertebrae. The gelatinous
of the herniated disc, renowned surgeon
the strength to withstand the biologi-
material in the center of the disc (the
Frank P. Cammisa Jr., MD, Chief Emeritus
cal forces and continuous bending
nucleus pulposus) herniates or bulges
of the Spine Service; Celeste Abjornson,
and stretching created by movement.
through a tear in the outer part of the
PhD, Assistant Scientist and Director
“Nanotechnology is new to the spine,
disc (the annulus fibrosis). This can com-
of the Integrated Spine Research
but it has great potential in treating a
press a nerve root, causing back pain,
Program; and former HSS spine fellow
number of pathologies, starting with an
leg pain, numbness and weakness.
Joshua Schroeder, MD, began to brain-
annular defect,” says Dr. Cammisa.
annular repair patch, aptly named
storm ways to help patients. “We talked When surgeons perform a microsur-
about the fact that when you blow a tire
The researchers have already tested
gical discectomy to remove the disc
on a bike, you need a patch,” recalls
the material for biocompatibility and
herniation, the hole in the annulus
Dr. Abjornson. The annulus has proper-
will begin preclinical studies this year.
from the herniation is left untreated.
ties similar to those of a bicycle tire. “The
Hopefully, clinical trials will begin in
Approximately 30 percent of patients
outward pressure is high, and the load is
about two years. The researchers’
still experience pain secondary to this
your body weight,” she says.
goal is to bring the AnnuloPatch to
defect in the annulus, and 5 to 10 per-
market sometime after 2020. “It’s a
cent of patients will reherniate within
This led the research team to design a
long process, but we’re excited,” says
two years. The annulus will scar, but it
way to repair the annulus. They decided
Dr. Cammisa.