CERPASS disc from Nuvasive...anyone heard of it?

[Katie]

The CERPASS disc is made of ceramic and is the one chosen by Dr. Pimenta to use in my C5/6.

Has anyone had this implanted, and if not, has anyone heard of it?

[Liz]

hi Katie,

I don't see the Cerpass cervical ADR listed on the FDA clinical trials web site yet so you're probably not going to find many, if any, people on this forum that have had it implanted, but you never know until you ask!

OK, this is confusing and I guess outdated (April 2009) but please read this NuVasive to Acquire Cervitech for Up to $80 million - HealthpointCapital

It states that Nuvasive decided NOT to pursue development of their Cerpass disc (even though they had an approved IDE they never started clinical trial enrollment). Hmmm, that could have just been part of negotiations to acquire the PCM disc w/Cervitech... i have no idea. It's up to you if you want a device in you that may never undergo much testing but i also know you're in a tough spot. I believe the PCM contains nickel, cobalt chrome, etc.

Perhaps the resident Medical Device Engineer (MDE) could provide some insight to you on this topic... i'd ask him.

Do you know how many of the Cerpass Dr. Pimenta has implanted or how many he believes have been implanted worldwide?

Are you sure you don't just want to fuse that level?

I believe Nuvasive's Neodisc is in trials now in the US... do your metal allergies exclude you from using it? It's silicone wrapped in polyester w/titanium screws... i have no idea if there is any nickel, etc nor if the design is even appropriate for your anatomy and condition but you could ask Dr. P or just stick w/the Cerpass... whatever you and your surgeon think is best for you.

CONGRATS on your surgery date... that is HUGE!!! i'll write more to you elsewhere later.

best wishes,
Liz

[Katie]

Liz, thanks so much for this. I don't know the exact numbers, but he has used quite a few of the CERPASS with excellent results. There were a few others that I asked him about, and he refused to use them because of problems he's had with them, so I feel like he really has my best interests at heart.

I can't use the titanium screws at all, because of the allergies...they contain aluminum unless they are pure Ti, which they aren't...too soft. He is going to use carbon fiber screws on me where necessary. Honestly, I haven't grilled him as much as I have others, which is bad, I know. But I am in such a bad spot here....

My adjacent lumbar discs are 'pristine' he said, but I know from him and others that the ones in my cervical are not, and a fusion will probably set off a chain reaction. When I pushed a bit about an ADR in my lumbar, he said that people are getting too excited about having them put in at every level, that they are not indicated in all cases...so I guess if he wants one in my neck, there is a good reason for it.

Yes, I'd love to chat more privately too. Thanks for the offer and I look forward to it.