Blackstone? Ascent? POCTS System

The Ascent? Posterior Occipital Cervical Thoracic System (POCTS) is a spinal implant system. It allows the surgeon to stabilize the base of the skull (occipital region), cervical (neck), and thoracic (chest area).

Ascent? POCTS System
Blackstone? Medical Inc. © Used with permission.

An important part of this system is the Monolithic Plate. This plate is implanted at the base of the skull. The plate provides a rigid and stable base from which the surgeon builds the rest of the stabilizing construct. This system is comprised of anchors, multi-axial screws, pre-bent rods, cables, and cross connectors.

This article is an excerpt from Dr. Stewart G. Eidelson's book, Advanced Technologies to Treat Neck and Back Pain, A Patient's Guide (March 2005).