Broomfield, Colo.-based Lanx has appointed Fernando Villamil, MD, to its surgeon advisory board and the company's director of education for Latin America.

Here are 14 recent news updates for spine and orthopedic device companies.

Researchers of the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia recently published a study in The Spine Journal examining minimally invasive techniques in comparison to open techniques for posterior lumbar instrumentation and fusion after open anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

San Diego-based NuVasive launched its Maximum Access Surgery Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion procedure.

Jeffrey Wang, MD, is a professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery at the UCLA David School of Medicine. He is also the chief of orthopedic spine surgery service and spine fellowship director.

Frank Phillips, MD, Paul Slosar, MD, Jim Youssef, MD, Frank Papatheofanis, MD, PhD, and Gunnar Andersson, MD, of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery have presented results of their study on fusion surgery as a treatment for chronic lower back pain.

DSM, a biomedical materials developer, has entered into a license and supply agreement with SpineVision, an implant manufacturer.

Tel Aviv-based Premia Spine has developed an implant to treat spinal disorders without fusion, according to Reuters.

Zimmer Spine launched its Zimmer DTO 5.5 System for disc degeneration with fusion and non-fusion treatments.

St. Louis-based ulrich medical USA released its flamenco Universal Spinal Fixation System for decompression and stabilization of thoracic and lumbosacral spine in U.S. markets.