IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE CLYDESDALE™ SPINAL SYSTEM
PURPOSE
This device is a PEEK (polyetheretherketone) interbody fusion device intended for stabilization and to promote bone fusion
during the normal healing process following surgical correction of disorders of the spine. The product should be implanted only
by a physician is thoroughly knowledgeable in the implant's material and surgical aspects and instructed as to its mechanical
and material applications and limitations.
DESCRIPTION
The Clydesdale™™ Spinal System consists of PEEK cages of various widths and heights, which include Tantalum markers.
These devices can be inserted between two lumbar or lumbosacral vertebral bodies to give support and correction during
lumbar interbody fusion surgeries. The hollow geometry of the implants allows them to be packed with autogenous bone and/or
allograft bone graft comprised of cancellous and/or corticocancellous bone graft, and/or demineralized allograft bone with bone
marrow aspirate, or Infuse
Implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or use are specifically excluded.
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Bone Graft as designated in this document.
INDICATIONS
The Clydesdale™ Spinal System is intended to be used in interbody fusion procedures for patients diagnosed with degenerative
disc disease (DDD) at one or two contiguous levels from L2 to S1. DDD patients may also have up to Grade 1 Spondylolisthesis
or retrolisthesis at the involved levels. DDD is defined as discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by
history and radiographic studies. When used for these indications, the Clydesdale
supplemental fixation systems cleared for use in the lumbar spine.
Certain sizes of the Clydesdale
Fusion (OLIF) procedures from L2 to L5 in patients diagnosed with DDD. Consult the labeling for the INFUSE
Medtronic Interbody Fusion Device for information on the specific sizes of the Clydesdale
INFUSE
INFUSE
Additionally, the Clydesdale
degenerative scoliosis as an adjunct to pedicle screw fixation. INFUSE
condition.
These patients should be skeletally mature and have had six months of non-operative treatment. The Clydesdale
System is intended to be used with autogenous bone and/or allograft bone graft comprised of cancellous and/or
corticocancellous bone graft, and/or demineralized allograft bone with bone marrow aspirate when the subject device is used as
an adjunct to fusion. These implants may be implanted via a minimally invasive lateral approach.
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Bone Graft, as well as specific information regarding contraindications, warnings, and precautions associated with
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Bone Graft. INFUSE™ Bone Graft is not indicated for use in a direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) surgical approach.
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Spinal System may be used with Infuse™ Bone Graft in single-level Oblique Lateral Interbody
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Spinal System can be used to provide anterior column support in patients diagnosed with
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Bone Graft is not indicated for use in patients with this
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Spinal System is intended for use with
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Spinal System approved for use with
Bone Graft/
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Spinal
CONTRAINDICATIONS
This device is not intended for cervical spine use. Contraindications include:
▪ Infection local to the operative site.
▪ Signs of local inflammation.
▪ Fever or leukocytosis.
▪ Morbid obesity.
▪ Pregnancy.
▪ Mental illness.
▪ Any other condition which would preclude the potential benefit of spinal implant surgery, such as the presence of tumors or
congenital abnormalities, fracture local to the operating site, elevation of sedimentation rate unexplained by other diseases,
elevation of white blood count (WBC), or a marked left shift in the WBC differential count.
▪ Suspected or documented allergy or intolerance to composite materials.
▪ Any case not needing a fusion.
▪ Any case not described in the indications.
▪ Any patient unwilling to cooperate with postoperative instructions.
▪ Patients with a known hereditary or acquired bone friability or calcification problem should not be considered for this type of
surgery.
▪ Pediatric cases, nor where the patient still has general skeletal growth.
▪ Spondylolisthesis unable to be reduced to Grade 1.
▪ Any case where the implant components selected for use would be too large or too small to achieve a successful result.
▪ Any case that requires the mixing of metals from two different components or systems.
▪ Any patient having inadequate tissue coverage over the operative site or inadequate bone stock or quality.
▪ Any patient in which implant use would interfere with anatomical structures or expected physiological performance.
▪ Prior fusion at the level to be treated.
Nota bene: although not absolute contraindications, conditions to be considered as potential factors for not using this device
include:
▪ Severe bone resorption.
▪ Osteomalacia.
▪ Severe osteoporosis.
POTENTIAL ADVERSE EVENTS
Adverse effects may occur when the device is used either with or without associated instrumentation. The risk of adverse effects
as a result of movement and non-stabilization may increase in cases where associated complementary support is not employed.
Potential adverse events include:
▪ Implant migration.
▪ Breakage of the device(s).
▪ Foreign body reaction to the implants including possible tumor formation, auto immune disease, and/or scarring.
▪ Pressure on the surrounding tissues or organs.
▪ Loss of proper spinal curvature, correction, height, and/or reduction.
▪ Infection.
▪ Bone fracture or stress shielding at, above, or below the level of surgery.
▪ Non-union (or pseudoarthrosis).
▪ Loss of neurological function, appearance of radiculopathy, dural tears, and/or development of pain.
▪ Neurovascular compromise including paralysis, temporary or permanent retrograde ejaculation in males, or other types of
serious injury.
▪ Cerebral spinal fluid leakage.
▪ Hemorrhage of blood vessels and/or hematomas.
▪ Discitis, arachnoiditis, and/or other types of inflammation.
▪ Deep venous thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, and/or pulmonary embolus.
▪ Bone graft donor site complication.
▪ Inability to resume activities of normal daily living.
▪ Early or late loosening or movement of the device(s).
▪ Urinary retention, loss of bladder control, or other types of urological system compromise.
▪ Scar formation possibly causing neurological compromise or compression around nerves and/or pain.
▪ Fracture, microfracture, resorption, damage, or penetration of any spinal bone (including the sacrum, pedicles, and/or
vertebral body) and/or bone graft or bone graft harvest site at, above, and/or below the level of surgery.
▪ Retropulsed graft.
▪ Herniated nucleus pulposus, disc disruption, or degeneration at, above, or below the level of surgery.
▪ Loss of or increase in spinal mobility or function.
▪ Reproductive system compromise including sterility, loss of consortium, and sexual dysfunction.
▪ Development of respiratory problems (e.g, pulmonary embolism, atelectasis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.).
▪ Change in mental status.
▪ Cessation of any potential growth of the operated portion of the spine.
▪ Death.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Warning: when used in deformity procedures, undersizing the implant may limit endplate engagement and potentially lead to
implant migration and/or expulsion.
A successful result is not always achieved in every surgical case. This fact is especially true in spinal surgery where other
patient conditions may compromise the results. Use of this product without bone graft or in cases that do not develop a union
will not be successful.
Preoperative and operating procedures, including knowledge of surgical techniques, good reduction, and correct selection and
placement of implants are important considerations in the successful use of the system. Further, proper selection and
compliance of the patient will greatly affect results. Patients who smoke were shown to have a reduced incidence of bone
fusion. These patients should be advised of this fact and warned of this consequence. Obese, malnourished, and/or alcohol/
drug abuse patients and those with poor muscle and bone quality and/or nerve paralysis are also poor candidates for spinal
fusion.
Patients with previous spinal surgery at the levels to be treated may have different clinical outcomes compared to those without
a previous spinal surgery.
A device that has been implanted should never be reused or reprocessed under any circumstances. Sterile packaged devices
should also never be resterilized. Reuse or reprocessing may compromise the structural integrity of these implants and create a
risk of contamination of the implants which could result in patient injury, illness, or death.
Physician note: although the physician is the learned intermediary between the company and the patient, the important medical
information in this document should be conveyed to the patient.
MRI INFORMATION
MR Conditional
The Clydesdale
products. A patient with this device can be safely scanned immediately after device placement under the following conditions:
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Spinal System was determined to be MR Conditional based on comparison to previously evaluated Medtronic
Static Magnetic Field
▪ Static magnetic field of 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla.
▪ Maximum spatial gradient magnetic field of 3000 Gauss/cm or less.
▪ Maximum whole body average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2.0 W/kg or less under normal operating mode, for 15
minutes of scanning per pulse sequence.
MRI-Related Heating
In non-clinical testing, a worst case interbody device representative of the Clydesdale™ Spinal System produced the following
temperature rises during an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) performed for 15 minutes of scanning (i.e., per pulse
sequence) in 1.5 Tesla/64 MHz MR system (Magnetom, Siemens Medical Solutions, Malvern, PA. Software Numaris/4, Version
Syngo MR 2002B DHHS Active-shielded, horizontal field scanner) and 3 Tesla/128 MHz (Excite, HDx, Software 14X.M5,
General Electric Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) MR systems:
1.5 Tesla3.0 Tesla
MR system reported, whole body averaged SAR2.9 W/kg2.9 W/kg
Calorimetry measured values, whole body averaged SAR2.1 W/kg2.7 W/kg
Highest temperature change1.8˚C1.7˚C
Artifact Information
MR image quality may be compromised if the area of interest is in the same area or relatively close to the position of the
Clydesdale
may be necessary.
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Spinal System. Therefore, optimization of MR imaging parameters to compensate for the presence of this device
MRI Patient Counseling Information
Physicians should communicate to the patient the following information about MRI with respect to the Clydesdale™ Spinal
System:
▪ Clydesdale
™
Spinal System performance was established for MRI systems at field strengths of 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla.
▪ During an MRI, the patient may notice a warming sensation around the implant or feel a tingling sensation. If the warming or
tingling sensation is uncomfortable, the patient should communicate this to the MR technologist, the MRI should be stopped
and the settings adjusted to reduce or eliminate the sensation. The highest temperature change observed in non-clinical
testing was +1.8ºC (associated with specific conditions previously listed).
▪ Additionally, the metal in the implant may cause the MRI image to be distorted in the area around the implant. The MRI can
be adjusted to minimize the image distortion.
Physicians should instruct patients to:
▪ Inform healthcare personnel (e.g., doctor or MR technologist) they have an implanted interbody device prior to receiving an
MRI.
▪ The patient’s doctor will recommend whether or not an MRI is appropriate.
If the Clydesdale
combination was not tested in the MR environment and, therefore, higher heating and possible injury to the patient may occur.
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Spinal System is used in connection with any device which is not MR Conditional, be advised this
IMPLANT SELECTION
Selection of the proper size, shape, and design of the implant for each patient is crucial to success of the procedure. Surgical
implants are subject to repeated stresses in use, and their strength is limited by the need to adapt the design to the human
anatomy. Unless great care is taken in patient selection, placement of the implant, and postoperative management to minimize
stresses on the implant, such stresses may cause material fatigue and consequent breakage or loosening of the device before
the fusion process is complete which may result in further injury or the need to remove the device prematurely.
DEVICE FIXATION
Installation and positional adjustment of implants must only be done with special ancillary instruments and equipment supplied
and designated by Medtronic. In the interests of patient safety, it is therefore recommended that Medtronic implants are not
used with devices from any other source.
Never, under any circumstances, reuse a Clydesdale
undamaged, it may have small defects or internal stress patterns that may lead to early breakage.
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Spinal System device. Even when a removed device appears
PREOPERATIVE
▪ Only patients that meet the criteria described in the indications should be selected.
▪ Patient conditions and/or predispositions such as those addressed in the contraindications should be avoided.
▪ Care should be taken when handling and storing the device(s). They should not be scratched or damaged. Devices should
be protected during storage especially from corrosive environments.
▪ The surgeon should be familiar with the various devices before use and should personally verify all devices are present
before surgery.
▪ The size of device for the case should be determined prior to surgery. An adequate inventory of implant sizes should be
available at the time of surgery, including sizes larger and smaller than those expected to be used.
▪ Unless supplied sterile, all devices should be cleaned and sterilized before use. Additional sterile components should be
available in case of any unexpected need.
INTRAOPERATIVE
▪ The instructions in any available Clydesdale
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Spinal System surgical technique manual should be carefully followed.
▪ At all times, extreme caution should be used around the spinal cord and nerve roots. Damage to nerves will cause loss of
neurological functions.
▪ Breakage, slippage, or misuse of instruments or implants may cause injury to the patient or operative personnel.
▪ To ensure proper fusion below and around the location of the fusion, autogenous bone and/or allograft bone graft
comprised of cancellous and/or corticocancellous bone graft, and/or demineralized allograft bone with bone marrow
aspirate.
▪ Bone cement should not be used because this material may make removal of these components difficult or impossible.
Heat generated from the curing process may damage or deform the PEEK devices.
POSTOPERATIVE
The physician’s postoperative directions and warnings to the patient and the corresponding patient compliance are extremely
important.
▪ Detailed instructions on use and limitations of the device should be given to the patient. The patient must be warned that
loosening, and/or breakage of the device(s) are complications which may occur as result of early or excessive weightbearing, muscular activity, or sudden jolts or shock to the spine.
▪ The patient should be advised not to smoke or consume excess alcohol during the period of the bone fusion process.
▪ The patient should be advised of the inability to bend at the point of spinal fusion and taught to compensate for this
permanent physical restriction in body motion.
▪ It is important that immobilization of union is established and confirmed by roentgenographic examination. If a non-union
develops or if components loosen, migrate, and/or break, the devices should be revised and/or removed immediately before
serious injury occurs.
▪ Clydesdale
fusion process.
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Spinal System implants are interbody devices and are intended to stabilize the operative area during the
▪ Retrieved devices should be treated in such a manner that reuse in another surgical procedure is not possible.
PACKAGING
Devices may be supplied sterile or non-sterile. Packages for components should be intact upon receipt. Once the seal on the
sterile package is broken, the product should not be re-sterilized. If a loaner or consignment system is used, all sets should be
carefully checked for completeness and all components, including instruments, should be carefully checked to ensure there is
no damage prior to use. Damaged packages or products should not be used, and should be returned to Medtronic.
CLEANING
Disassembly/reassembly and cleaning instructions can be found at http://manuals.medtronic.com/. Refer to the “Reprocessing
Instructions for the Lateral Inserters – M708348B087” for disassembly and cleaning instructions specific to the DL Inserter
instrument (part number 2942001). Refer to the “Important Information for Medtronic Reusable Instruments - 0380035” for
cleaning instructions for Clydesdale
™
Spinal System trials.
STERILIZATION
The Clydesdale™ Spinal System implants are supplied sterile. Never autoclave or in any other way attempt to reprocess or
reuse the Clydesdale
to surgical use. Remove all packaging materials prior to sterilization. Only sterile products should be placed in the operative
field. Unless specified elsewhere, these products are recommended to be steam sterilized by the hospital using one of the sets
of parameters in Table 1.
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Spinal System implants. Instruments are provided non-sterile and must be sterilized by the hospital prior
Table 1: Sterilization cycle parameters for the US and its territories
For medical facilities located outside the US and its territories, some non-US health care authorities recommend sterilization
according to these parameters to minimize the risk of transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, especially of surgical
instruments that could come into contact with the central nervous system.
Table 2: Sterilization cycle parameters for medical facilities outside the US and its territories
Minimum dry times were validated using sterilizers having vacuum drying capabilities. Drying cycles using ambient
atmospheric pressure may require longer dry times. Refer to the sterilizer manufacturer’s recommendations.
Note: because of the many variables involved in sterilization, each medical facility should calibrate and verify the sterilization
process (e.g., temperatures, exposure times) used for their equipment.
The sterilization cycles listed in Table 2 are not considered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be standard
sterilization cycles. It is the user’s responsibility to use only sterilizers and accessories (such as sterilization wraps, sterilization
pouches, chemical indicators, biological indicators, and sterilization cassettes) cleared by the FDA for the selected sterilization
cycle specifications (time and temperature).
PRODUCT COMPLAINTS
For product problems, contact Medtronic.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Recommended directions for use of this system (surgical operative techniques) are available at no charge upon request. If
further information is required, contact Medtronic.