WILMINGTON, N.C., June 25, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TranS1 Inc. (Nasdaq:TSON), a medical device company focused on designing, developing and marketing products that implement its proprietary minimally invasive surgical approach to treat degenerative disc disease affecting the lower lumbar region of the spine, today announced the first patients treated with its revolutionary, 2nd generation PNR(r) implant. The PNR(r) is designed to relieve lower back pain while restoring full range of motion and axial compression within the affected lumbar disc. The PNR(r) is the only motion preserving implant capable of being surgically delivered into the degenerated disc through a single, one and a half inch incision without damaging or dissecting any supportive soft tissue structures such as muscles, ligaments and the disc annulus. Consequently, the patients receiving the PNR(r) were ambulatory within two hours of the surgery. These first patients are part of a pilot study to assess the safety and effectiveness of the PNR(r).
"This is the next step in leveraging the company's proprietary spinal access and implant technology; this procedure will allow surgeons to restore normal disk function to patients suffering from debilitating low back pain, through our least invasive approach," stated Rick Randall, President and CEO of TranS1. "I want to thank Dr. Dick Zeilstra and the staff of the Neurosurgical Centre in Zwolle for their cooperation and support of this study."
The first procedures were performed at the Neurosurgical Centre in Zwolle, The Netherlands by Dr. Dick Zeilstra. Dr. Zeilstra was an early adopter of the TranS1 AxiaLIF(r) lumbar fusion procedure and is a lead investigator with the PNR(r) pilot study. "We are very proud to be the first facility in the world to implant the next generation TranS1 PNR(r). The transacral approach is the easiest way to deliver a nucleus replacement and be sure that it stays in place. The PNR(r) is a revolutionary technology to add to my armamentarium of treatment options for my patients suffering from back pain. This implant allows me to restore the function of the patient while relieving their pain," said Dr. Dick Zeilstra.
The PNR(r) implant is inserted into the degenerative disc via a small surgical opening created adjacent to the patient's tailbone, thereby minimizing soft tissue damage, blood loss and pain. The soft, polymeric implant is designed to replace the damaged disc nucleus and anatomically restore normal spinal motion. The procedure can be performed in under an hour.
About TranS1 Inc.
TranS1 is a medical device company focused on designing, developing and marketing products that implement its proprietary minimally invasive surgical approach to treat degenerative disc disease affecting the lower lumbar region of the spine. TranS1 currently markets two single-level fusion products -- the AxiaLIF(r), the AxiaLIF 360(tm) and the AxiaLIF 2L(tm) in the U.S. and Europe. TranS1 was founded in May 2000 and is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.trans1.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks associated with the adoption of a new technology by spine surgeons, product development efforts, regulatory requirements, maintenance and prosecution of adequate intellectual property protection and other economic and competitive factors. These forward-looking statements are based on the company's expectations as of the date of this press release and the company undertakes no obligation to update information provided in this press release. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties associated with TranS1's business, please review the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.