Spineology was founded in 1996 by Dr. Stephen Kuslich. Dr. Kuslich was a pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery, being one of the first in the U.S. to use the operating microscope. During his career, Dr. Kuslich was also instrumental in the development of numerous spinal implants, including OptiMesh, that have provided and continue to provide pain relief for tens of thousands of people. 

Dr. Kuslich’s original vision of Spineology was as a “think tank” where surgeons could develop new ideas. OptiMesh is the culmination of this vision.

OptiMesh was originally created as a minimally invasive grafting system for lumbar interbody fusion. Being able to place large grafts, or implants, in the spine is a challenge for surgeons because the neural and vascular structures that surround the spine are delicate. OptiMesh allows the surgeon to place an unfilled implant into the spine and then deploy it to full size.

Spineology, being a physician think tank, recognized that OptiMesh may be useful in many other orthopedic applications, including the treatment of stable vertebral body defects. In this application, OptiMesh is unique in that it offers porous containment to help control graft material placement, and it provides a way to utilize biologically friendly bone graft.

In 2002, Spineology initiated operations in Europe with the first OptiMesh interbody fusion procedure and in 2003 expanded the product line to include intrabody products for use in vertebral compression fractures.

U.S. clearance for intrabody grafting of stable vertebral defects was received at the end of 2003 and the first U.S. case was done in early 2004. Spineology has also recently concluded a pilot trial and started a pivotal trial in the U.S. to add an interbody application to the OptiMesh labeling.