Stryker (NYSE:SYK), a global leader in medical technologies, announced today that its OptaBlate basivertebral nerve ablation system (OptaBlate BVN) has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This new system represents Stryker's first entry into the basivertebral nerve ablation market, targeting a key source of chronic vertebrogenic low back pain.
The OptaBlate BVN system utilizes radiofrequency ablation technology to deliver a targeted, minimally invasive procedure that provides long-lasting relief for patients suffering from vertebrogenic pain. This FDA clearance marks a significant expansion of Stryker's pain management portfolio and leverages the company's core competencies in both radiofrequency ablation technology and vertebral access.
"We often see patients with chronic low back pain who have tried multiple treatments—physical therapy, injections, medications—without lasting relief," said Dr. Jad Khalil, Spine Surgeon at Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons. "BVNA is a minimally invasive and innovative procedure that targets a key source of this pain, particularly in patients with specific MRI findings. Before BVNA, options for lasting relief were limited. For many, it offers meaningful improvement and can help avoid more aggressive treatments like surgery."
Technology and Clinical Features
The OptaBlate BVN system boasts several advanced technical features designed to enhance clinical outcomes. The system can achieve at least a 1 cm lesion in just 7 minutes, significantly reducing procedure time. It features a steerable, dynamic curved introducer that allows for targeted performance and precision during the procedure.
One of the system's key innovations is its microinfusion technology, which keeps the treatment zone hydrated. This reduces impedance errors and prevents tissue charring, common complications in radiofrequency ablation procedures. The system also utilizes 10-gauge access tools, balancing minimal invasiveness with effective delivery of the therapy.
Addressing an Unmet Clinical Need
Chronic low back pain represents one of the most common and debilitating medical conditions worldwide, affecting millions of patients and resulting in substantial healthcare costs and lost productivity. Traditional treatments often provide only temporary relief, leaving many patients in a cycle of recurring pain and diminished quality of life.
Basivertebral nerve ablation targets a specific nerve pathway that has been identified as a significant source of vertebrogenic pain. By interrupting pain signals at this source, the procedure aims to provide more durable relief than conventional approaches.
"We have a long history in radiofrequency ablation, and we're relentlessly committed to delivering groundbreaking approaches to protect and promote quality of life," said Kristen Berg, vice president and general manager of Stryker's Interventional Spine business. "Our legacy providing solutions to reduce pain now continues with OptaBlate BVN, addressing the underserved population suffering from chronic vertebrogenic lumbar pain."
Market Introduction and Availability
Stryker plans to officially introduce the OptaBlate BVN system at the upcoming American Society of Pain & Neuroscience (ASPN) Annual Meeting, scheduled for July 17-20 in Miami, Florida. The company will showcase the system as part of its comprehensive pain management portfolio at booth #154.
This strategic launch timing allows Stryker to present its new technology to key opinion leaders and practitioners in the pain management and neuroscience fields, potentially accelerating adoption of the system in clinical practice.
The FDA clearance of OptaBlate BVN represents another milestone in Stryker's ongoing commitment to developing innovative medical technologies that address significant unmet clinical needs and improve patient outcomes across a wide range of therapeutic areas.
