OrthoPediatrics Corp. announced it has received the ?Breakthrough Device? Designation from the Food and Drug Administration (?FDA?) for its new eLLi surgical device, an implant designed to address severe pathology associated with Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS), which can be associated with thoracic insufficiency, a potentially life-threatening condition.

eLLi aims to provide a non-invasive means of extending the growing rods that provides increased force, enhanced mechanical reliability, and superior distraction precision, while also addressing safety concerns associated with current technology. eLLi will allow surgeons a new alternative to address deformity of the growing spine with an advanced technology that will complement efforts to build a platform of EOS technologies. According to the FDA, the Breakthrough Devices Program is a voluntary program for certain medical devices and device-led combination products that provide for more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions.

The Breakthrough Program is intended to help patients have more timely access to medical devices by expediting their development, assessment, and review, while preserving the statutory standards for premarket approval, 510(k) clearance, and De Novo marketing authorization, consistent with the Agency?s mission to protect and promote public health.