The founders established SpineGuard on the premise that the patented PediGuard® technology platform deserves the full focus of the Team to make the most of its clinical, technological and market potential. Close to 1 million procedures using pedicle screws were performed in 2008 (I-Data Research US, Europe & Asia Pacific Spine reports) and this number will continue to increase in the coming years. This increase will be driven by the growing number of patients requiring surgical treatment, a larger number of surgeons being trained in technologies requiring pedicle screws and substantial technological advancements (i.e. Minimally Invasive Surgery, Bone Substitutes, Dynamic Stabilization, etc.). Yet even today, publications show high rates (10 to 40%) of screw misplacements leading to various degrees of complications[1-5]. Pedicle screw placement is more than ever the number one safety challenge in spine surgery. With over 8,000 procedures performed since PediGuard®’s introduction in more than 25 countries and with initial results of U.S. and European multi-centric clinical studies confirming its potential, the PediGuard® is emerging as the most compelling answer to this clinical need.

The founders of SpineGuard have years of experience and a proven track record in spine as former executives at Sofamor-Danek and SpineVision. With the support of Aelios Finance, they managed to raise $15 million in the midst of the recent financial turmoil from four venture capital investors namely C.A.P.E., Innoven Partenaires, A Plus Finance and Delta Partners to acquire the PediGuard® technology from SpineVision and finance the development of SpineGuard. A substantial portion of these funds will be invested in clinical studies, training, marketing and R&D to allow more spine surgeons throughout the world to use PediGuard® and more patients to benefit from safer spine stabilizations.

SpineGuard raises $11 million and acquires PediGuard® business unit from SpineVision

SpineGuard raises $4 million from Delta Partners, and elects two new directors: Maurice Bourlion and Dr. Joe Mason

Pierre and Stéphane have assembled a Team of 15 talented individuals divided between San Francisco and Paris, all with solid experience in the spine industry. The original inventors of PediGuard®, Ciaran Bolger, MD PhD and Maurice Bourlion, PhD are part of the endeavor as well as Randy Betz, MD, leader of SpineGuard’s international clinical study group.

SpineGuard, Inc.
301 Howard Street, Suite 970 - San Francisco CA 94105, USA
+1 415.512.2500

Accuracy of pedicle screw placement is a critical issue in spine surgery: published rates of intraoperatively ‘misplaced’ screws range from 10 to 40 percent[1-5], some of which result in pathological consequences such as spinal cord damage[3]. Consequently, liability risks for spine surgeons are high.

Making spine surgery safer for patients and doctors

PediGuard® is the first and only handheld, wireless device that can detect possible cortex perforation during pedicle preparation for screw placement. PediGuard® can alert the surgeon prior to a breach by accurately analyzing the electrical conductivity of the surrounding tissues in real time via audio and visual signals.