Next-Generation Cervical Disc Treats Degenerative Disease

A new artificial disc system is designed to provide a long term, flexible alternative for cervical disk replacement procedures.

The Rhine cervical disc system features a one-piece compressible elastomeric polymer core with dome-shaped, plasma-coated endplates and a central-split keel that are intended to minimize wear and tear between the polymer core and metal endplates. Fabricated using a proprietary molding technology, the monolithic compressible polymer core design was shown to be comparable to the natural cervical disc when subjected to biomechanical testing.

The system also feature a streamlined instrumentation kit that simplifies the surgical technique by integrating both disc trialing and keel cutting into a single instrument, and also includes a built-in adjustable stop that allows for customized anterior or posterior positioning of the disc, based on surgeon preference. The Rhine cervical disc system is a product of K2M (Leesburg, VA, USA), and has received the European Community CE marking of approval.

“We are excited to receive a CE mark for our Rhine cervical disc technology, as it represents an important regulatory milestone event for K2M as we continue to build our product portfolio and penetrate the global spine market with innovative techniques and technologies,” said Eric Major, President and CEO of K2M. “We look forward to further expanding our international product offering, and will remain focused on the complex spine category across all of our international markets.”

“The Rhine cervical disc system is manufactured through a proprietary over-molding process of elastomeric polymer that differentiates the system from the competitive offering,” said principal inventor of the Rhine, orthopedic surgeon Casey Lee, MD. “The first single and multi-level surgical procedures using the Rhine system were recently completed in Belgium and Germany. We are committed to showing successful clinical results and are initiating a prospective observational clinical study in multiple sites throughout Europe.”

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