Auctus Surgical’s vertebral body-tethering system to treat pediatric scoliosis with a nonfusion, dynamic approach has been designated a breakthrough device by the FDA.

San Francisco, Calif.-based Auctus says the device is intended to give adolescents a viable, flexible option to complex fusion surgery.

After the initial installation, the system uses an external magnet controller for nonsurgical adjustment of the spinal curvature over time.