Life Spine
Life Spine, Inc. is a privately held U.S. medical device company that designs and sells expandable interbody spinal implant systems — including VersaLift and ProLift — for TLIF, PLIF, and lateral fusion procedures, distributing directly to spinal surgeons and hospital systems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersHuntley, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Life Spine does
Life Spine, Inc. is a privately held U.S. medical device company founded in 2004 and headquartered in Huntley, Illinois, specializing in spinal interbody implant systems for orthopedic and neurosurgery applications. The company develops expandable interbody devices used in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), and lateral lumbar interbody fusion procedures, with a portfolio anchored by the VersaLift Expandable Interbody System (FDA 510(k) cleared in June 2026, featuring a 6mm starting height and up to 15 degrees of lordotic correction) and the ProLift family (ProLift, ProLift Micro, and ProLift Lateral variants, which received ASTM-compliant MR Conditional status in February 2026).
The company's underlying technology centers on micro-invasive expandable cage design that minimizes tissue disruption and accommodates constrained patient anatomy, combined with imaging-compatible materials that support postoperative MRI. Life Spine operates a direct field-sales go-to-market targeting spinal surgeons and hospital procurement departments, with pricing negotiated through hospital GPO contracts and direct sales agreements; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Its customer base spans spinal surgeons, hospital systems, and spinal-disorder patients requiring interbody fusion.
Life Spine employs 51–100 people and is led by CEO Rich Mueller (also referenced as Richard M Mueller in COO capacity). Historical investors include St. Cloud Capital (2016 round), and the company is pursuing international expansion, evidenced by the hiring of a Director of Business Development for EMEA. The company has no publicly disclosed revenue, and ownership structure is not explicitly detailed in available sources.
Life Spine firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Life Spine
- Legal name
- Life Spine, Inc.
- Website
- https://lifespine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Life Spine, Inc. is a privately held U.S. medical device company that designs and sells expandable interbody spinal implant systems — including VersaLift and ProLift — for TLIF, PLIF, and lateral fusion procedures, distributing directly to spinal surgeons and hospital systems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Life Spine industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Spinal Surgery Implants
- NAICS
- Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spine Implants & Motion Preservation (Fusion/Disc/Interspinous) (HLAHAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spine (Orthopedic Spine) (HLAKALAE), Neurosurgical Implants & Cranial/CMF (Cranial Plates, Dural Repair, Shunts) (HLAHAEAD)
Keywords
Where Life Spine is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Huntley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Life Spine business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Life Spine product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Life Spine designs, manufactures, and sells expandable interbody spinal implant systems used by spinal surgeons and hospitals to perform micro-invasive spinal fusion procedures. Its product portfolio includes the VersaLift™ Expandable Interbody System for TLIF and PLIF approaches and the ProLift family (ProLift, ProLift Micro, ProLift Lateral) for various spinal approaches, with devices designed for constrained anatomy insertion, intraoperative lordotic correction, and MR Conditional postoperative imaging compatibility.
Product overview
Life Spine is a medical device company specializing in spinal disorder treatments. The company offers a portfolio of expandable interbody systems for spinal surgery, including the VersaLift™ system for TLIF and PLIF procedures and the ProLift product family (ProLift, ProLift Micro, and ProLift Lateral) for various spinal approaches. Both product lines feature expandable interbody technology with different form factors and specifications to address varying surgical needs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ProLift: Expandable interbody portfolio including ProLift, ProLift Micro, and ProLift Lateral systems for spinal disorder treatments.
- VersaLift
Products and services
- VersaLift™ Expandable Interbody System Micro-invasive expandable interbody system designed for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) spinal procedures. Features a 6mm starting height — among the smallest available for expandable TLIF interbody implants — with options for 8, 10, and 12mm widths and up to 15 degrees of lordotic correction. The low-profile design facilitates insertion through constrained anatomy while minimizing tissue disruption. Intended for spinal surgeons and hospital systems performing spinal fusion procedures.
- ProLift Expandable Spacer System Expandable interbody portfolio consisting of ProLift, ProLift Micro, and ProLift Lateral variants designed for various spinal approaches. The portfolio has received MR Conditional status in accordance with ASTM standards, confirming patients implanted with these devices can safely undergo MRI scans under specified conditions, supporting postoperative imaging and long-term clinical management.
Quantifiable outcome
- VersaLift offers one of the smallest 6mm starting heights available for expandable TLIF interbody implants
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Life Spine
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Life Spine technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Life Spine partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Gizmo MedicalminorLife Spine was involved in litigation with Gizmo Medical and its founder Michael Butler related to allegations against Life Spine's lenders and directors. A court dismissed the majority of Life Spine's claims, after which Life Spine voluntarily dismissed the remaining allegations. The relationship was adversarial/legal in nature, stemming from prior business dealings between the parties. Gizmo Medical specializes in designing and manufacturing medical instruments with a history of innovative product development.
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Life Spine competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Globus Medical: One of the largest pure-play spine device companies with a broad expandable interbody and minimally invasive fusion portfolio. Directly comparable to Life Spine across TLIF/PLIF/lateral interbody product lines and the same hospital/surgeon customer base.
- NuVasive: Major spine surgery company (now part of Globus) specializing in minimally invasive and lateral spinal fusion with interbody implant systems. Direct competitor in expandable interbody technology and TLIF/PLIF approaches.
- Alphatec Holdings: Independent spine-focused company with a portfolio of interbody cages and minimally invasive fusion systems. Highly comparable as a similarly sized, spine-only competitor pursuing surgeon-direct go-to-market models.
- SeaSpine: Spine and orthobiologics company with expandable interbody and minimally invasive fusion offerings. Comparable in scale and product category overlap, particularly around TLIF/lateral interbody technology.
- Orthofix Medical: Spine and orthopedic device company offering interbody solutions and motion preservation products. Overlaps with Life Spine on interbody implant technology and the same hospital orthopedic/spine service lines.
Broad incumbents
- Stryker (Spine division, ex-K2M): Broad medical device incumbent with a spine division (built on K2M) offering interbody and minimally invasive fusion systems. Competes across all of Life Spine's target procedures but as part of a much larger portfolio.
- Medtronic (Spine / enabling technologies): Global medical device giant with a substantial spinal implant franchise covering interbody fusion and minimally invasive approaches. Competitor in the same surgeon accounts but operates at vastly greater scale across multiple therapy areas.
Emerging players
- Xtant Medical: Smaller spine-focused company offering interbody devices and biologics. Comparable as a niche competitor targeting similar TLIF/lateral procedure volumes with a narrower commercial footprint than Life Spine.
- Centinel Spine: Spine-focused company with cervical and lumbar interbody offerings, with partial overlap in expandable and motion-preservation technologies. Comparable as a niche player competing for the same spine surgeon mindshare.
- Joimax: Endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery device maker with interbody access and fusion adjacencies. Comparable through its micro-invasive philosophy and targeting of similar surgeon adopters.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Life Spine social profiles
Digital presenceLife Spine compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Life Spine financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Life Spine leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Life Spine funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Life Spine M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Life Spine
What does Life Spine do?
Life Spine designs, manufactures, and sells expandable interbody spinal implant systems used by spinal surgeons and hospitals to perform micro-invasive spinal fusion procedures. Its product portfolio includes the VersaLift™ Expandable Interbody System for TLIF and PLIF approaches and the ProLift family (ProLift, ProLift Micro, ProLift Lateral) for various spinal approaches, with devices designed for constrained anatomy insertion, intraoperative lordotic correction, and MR Conditional postoperative imaging compatibility.
Is Life Spine a public or private company?
Life Spine is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Life Spine founded?
Life Spine was founded in 2004. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Life Spine based?
Life Spine is headquartered in Huntley, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Life Spine's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Globus Medical, NuVasive, Alphatec Holdings, SeaSpine and Orthofix Medical. Broad incumbents are Stryker (Spine division, ex-K2M) and Medtronic (Spine / enabling technologies). Emerging players are Xtant Medical, Centinel Spine and Joimax.
Does Life Spine have an API?
No public API is recorded for Life Spine.
What industry is Life Spine in?
Life Spine's product category is Spinal Surgery Implants. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAEAC, Spine Implants & Motion Preservation (Fusion/Disc/Interspinous), with a secondary code of HLAKALAE, Spine (Orthopedic Spine). Its NAICS code is 339113 and its SIC code is 3842.