Gowriharan "Dr. Ty" Thaiyananthan, MD, a neurosurgeon, researcher and the co-medical director for the Southern California Center for Neuroscience and Spine (SCCNS) at Chapman Medical Center in Orange, Calif., discusses three cutting-edge projects currently in the works at SCCNS.
1. Stem cells for lumbar fusions. We are participating in a trial right now using a machine that will harvest a person's own bone marrow and enables us to spin it down so that we can concentrate beneficial cells such as an individual's own stem cells. We are using that in our lumbar fusions and we are exploring the possibility of using this for the treatment of degenerative disc disease. This process is FDA approved and uses a person's own stem cells to enhance some of the traditional surgeries we do, such as fusions. Currently, I think it's one of our most promising clinical research projects.
2. Pedicle screw alternative. We're also enrolled in a multi-center nationally blinded trial to determine the efficacy of a novel device that may potentially serve as an alternative for pedicle screws. It converts a procedure that would normally take two hours and hospitalize patients for 4-5 days into an outpatient procedure that only requires a small incision.
3. International clinic. In additional to our participation in several clinical studies, we're in the process of establishing an international clinic in India with hospitals that are affiliated with SCCNS. This would give us a different clinical venue to practice our craft. One area that we're excited to explore is the possibility of providing our patients the ability to participate in clinical trails including those that involve the use of embryonic stem cells and novel spinal devices that are not presently available in the United States.
Read about Dr. Thaiyananthan's transition from an academic medical center to outpatient treatment center.
Learn more about Basic Spine & Brain Center.
Read more coverage on spine surgery techniques:
- 3 Time and Cost Saving Techniques for Spine Surgery
- Spine Surgery Research Update: Treatment of Cervical Spine
- Latest Trends in Spine Surgery Techniques: Laser and Stem Cell Technology
1. Stem cells for lumbar fusions. We are participating in a trial right now using a machine that will harvest a person's own bone marrow and enables us to spin it down so that we can concentrate beneficial cells such as an individual's own stem cells. We are using that in our lumbar fusions and we are exploring the possibility of using this for the treatment of degenerative disc disease. This process is FDA approved and uses a person's own stem cells to enhance some of the traditional surgeries we do, such as fusions. Currently, I think it's one of our most promising clinical research projects.
2. Pedicle screw alternative. We're also enrolled in a multi-center nationally blinded trial to determine the efficacy of a novel device that may potentially serve as an alternative for pedicle screws. It converts a procedure that would normally take two hours and hospitalize patients for 4-5 days into an outpatient procedure that only requires a small incision.
3. International clinic. In additional to our participation in several clinical studies, we're in the process of establishing an international clinic in India with hospitals that are affiliated with SCCNS. This would give us a different clinical venue to practice our craft. One area that we're excited to explore is the possibility of providing our patients the ability to participate in clinical trails including those that involve the use of embryonic stem cells and novel spinal devices that are not presently available in the United States.
Read about Dr. Thaiyananthan's transition from an academic medical center to outpatient treatment center.
Learn more about Basic Spine & Brain Center.
Read more coverage on spine surgery techniques:
- 3 Time and Cost Saving Techniques for Spine Surgery
- Spine Surgery Research Update: Treatment of Cervical Spine
- Latest Trends in Spine Surgery Techniques: Laser and Stem Cell Technology