Our Vision
At Empirical Spine we believe it’s time to create a new standard of care in spine surgery that works in parallel with the natural structures of the spine to restore functionality and optimize quality of life.
Empirical Spine & LimiFlex® History
The LimiFlex Dynamic Sagittal Tether™ was conceived by company co-founders Louie Fielding and Todd Alamin, MD, in the Stanford University Biodesign Innovation program. The idea behind LimiFlex was to provide spinal stabilization without compromising spinal function, in patients suffering from degenerative lumbar spinal disorders. The standard of care for most of these patients today is spinal fusion.
After receiving the CE mark in 2009, the LimiFlex was used to treat more than 2,000 patients, primarily in Europe. A clinical trial was approved by the United States FDA under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to study use of LimiFlex in patients with Grade I lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with stenosis and completed. Empirical Spine received FDA PMA approval for LimiFlex on February 12, 2026.