Below is an educational, technical answer to a question many patients and clinicians ask. In the spine, pedicle screw and rod systems provide rigid fixation to stabilize segments, correct alignment, or support fusion. As a medical device manufacturer, INVAMED develops technologies in this area; the information here is educational and not medical advice.
Background: Neurosurgical Fixation and Spinal Decompression
In the spine, pedicle screw and rod systems provide rigid fixation to stabilize segments, correct alignment, or support fusion. Minimally invasive techniques, including percutaneous pedicle screw placement and percutaneous disc decompression, aim to achieve these goals through smaller corridors. Neurosurgical fixation restores and stabilizes bone after procedures on the skull and spine, using implants chosen for biocompatibility and imaging compatibility.
What materials are used in neurosurgical implants?
Neurosurgical implants commonly use titanium and platinum for fixation hardware and PEEK or titanium for interbody cages, chosen for biocompatibility and imaging behavior. Material choice can affect imaging artifact, mechanical properties, and implant profile. INVAMED's line includes a platinum cranial plate and PEEK interbody and cervical cages. Material selection for a given patient is made by the operating surgeon in line with the device labeling.
What This Means in Practice
Interbody cage material and dimensions are matched to the disc space, desired lordosis, and fusion strategy. All INVAMED neuro, spine, and cranial implants are intended for use by trained neurosurgical and spine surgical teams and per the IFU. Cranial implant material is chosen in part for imaging compatibility and low profile, with platinum and titanium being common options.
Key Considerations
- Manufacturer descriptions, such as an anatomy-matched cranial plate fit, reflect design intent rather than guaranteed outcomes.
- Pedicle-screw trajectory accuracy is important to remain within the bony pedicle, motivating the use of fluoroscopy or navigation.
- All INVAMED neuro, spine, and cranial implants are intended for use by trained neurosurgical and spine surgical teams and per the IFU.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides which spinal implant to use?
The operating spine surgeon selects implants based on the pathology and anatomy; this article is educational and not a treatment recommendation.
What is the regulatory status of these neuro and spine devices?
Device availability and regulatory status vary by country. Please contact INVAMED or your authorized local distributor for current regulatory information applicable to your region.
What is the INVAMED cranial plate called?
INVAMED's cranial fixation plate is the Stella Cranial Platinum Plate, a platinum plate used for craniotomy closure, skull reconstruction, and neurosurgical fixation.
Clinical and Technical Context
Cranial implant material is chosen in part for imaging compatibility and low profile, with platinum and titanium being common options. Which implants and approach are appropriate is determined by the operating neurosurgeon or spine surgeon based on the pathology and anatomy. Plate choice and configuration are determined by the neurosurgeon for the specific reconstruction. Whether a patient is a candidate for disc decompression is determined by the treating clinician. INVAMED's Stella Cranial Platinum Plate is positioned for skull reconstruction and cranioplasty stabilization, with an anatomy-matched fit per the product content. All INVAMED neuro, spine, and cranial implants are intended for use by trained neurosurgical and spine surgical teams and per the IFU. In the spine, pedicle screw and rod systems provide rigid fixation to stabilize segments, correct alignment, or support fusion. INVAMED's Stella Cranial Platinum Plate is a platinum-based cranial plate offered within the cranial fixation line. INVAMED's Stella Cranial Platinum Plate is a platinum cranial plate used for craniotomy closure, skull reconstruction, and neurosurgical fixation, described with a 3D-technology patient-anatomy fit. Percutaneous disc decompression is reserved for selected contained herniations as judged by the clinician. INVAMED lists intraoperative neuromonitoring among the tools in its neuro, spine, and cranial portfolio. The choice of material for a given patient is made by the neurosurgeon in line with the device labeling.
Related on INVAMED
- Neuro, Spine & Cranial — product category
- PEEK interbody cage vs Titanium interbody cage: What Is the Difference?
- SpineNav MIS Pedicle Screw System: Features, Specifications and Clinical Role
- Comparing Rigid spinal fixation and Dynamic stabilization
Important Disclaimer
The information here is provided for educational purposes and to describe device technology; it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a licensed healthcare provider can determine whether a given procedure or device is appropriate for a specific patient. INVAMED products are restricted to use by qualified professionals following the official IFU. Regulatory clearance and labeling differ between regions, and not all products or indications are available in every market.
Reviewed by the INVAMED Medical Affairs team. Content is educational and technical in nature.