Ellipse Technologies announces breakthrough for correcting spinal deformities in children; MAGEC™ remote-controlled device approved for marketing in Europe

Clinical data for company’s patented MAGEC™ System is presented at the 18th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Technologies (IMAST)

“Following minimally invasive implantation, MAGEC provides a completely noninvasive alternative for treating Early Onset Scoliosis. Now, young children won’t have to suffer through the stress and physical trauma of repeated open surgeries every six months, for years, to straighten their spine.”-

Behrooz A. Akbarnia, M.D.
Past President, Scoliosis Research Society

IRVINE, Calif.--()--Ellipse Technologies (www.ellipse-tech.com) announced today that preliminary clinical data suggests children with Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS) can be treated safely and effectively without the conventional protocol of repeated surgeries to straighten their growing spine. Instead, children with EOS can be treated noninvasively with a new medical technology called the MAGEC1 System from Ellipse Technologies.

There is no other commercially available technology or product that provides for the noninvasive, remote lengthening of the spine delivered by the MAGEC System. Its adjustability allows a physician to modify the length of the rod and the force applied to the spine throughout the implanted period as the patient responds to therapy. The use of the MAGEC System is designed to result in reduced spinal curvature, improving appearance and posture. In addition, the MAGEC System is designed to eliminate the need for numerous repeat surgical procedures that are now standard of care with growing rod therapies for children with spinal deformities. The elimination of repeat surgical procedures is expected to result in significant reduction in complications and costs associated with the repeat of such surgeries.

“Ellipse has developed a truly remarkable technology that will dramatically advance the treatment of spinal deformity and significantly improve the otherwise traumatic experience these children currently endure. The MAGEC System has exceeded my expectations for what I had hoped to someday witness during my clinical research career,” said Principal Investigator Dr. Behrooz Akbarnia, Past President of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) and Medical Director at the San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders, La Jolla, Calif. He also is a Clinical Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Akbarnia is the recipient of the prestigious ’Walter P. Blount Humanitarian Award’ from the Scoliosis Research Society for his many important contributions to the field of spine surgery.

“The current ‘gold standard’ procedure for correcting spinal deformities in children requires repeated open surgeries over the course of many years. MAGEC is designed to be an effective alternative to repeat surgery when used by spine surgeons to treat Early Onset Scoliosis, or ‘EOS,’” said Ed Roschak, COO of Ellipse Technologies.

Ellipse Technologies is now selling its CE-marked MAGEC System through distribution partners throughout Europe and various countries worldwide. MAGEC is not available for use in the United States.

About Ellipse Technologies

Ellipse Technologies, Inc. is dedicated to the design, development and successful commercialization of noninvasively adjustable implants for orthopedic deformity and trauma procedures. The Ellipse technology is protected by a number of issued patents and numerous pending patents. Its initial commercial product, the MAGEC™ System, restores proper anatomic position and alignment of the spine and is designed to be used in clinical applications such as treating children with Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS).

1 MAGEC™ is not available in the United States. MAGEC™ has been CE-marked since October 2009.

Contacts

Ellipse Technologies, Inc.
Tracy Pearson, +1 949-837-3600, ext. 17
Director of Public Relations

Release Summary

Breakthrough in treating childhood spinal deformities

Contacts

Ellipse Technologies, Inc.
Tracy Pearson, +1 949-837-3600, ext. 17
Director of Public Relations