New CEO Appointed at Artimplant, a Swedish Biomaterials Company Focused on Interpositional Joint Implants and Soft Tissue Repair

ARTIMPLANT appoints new CEO (press release) Kjell Thörnbring has been appointed to the new CEO of Artimplant AB. He has been acting CEO since May 4 and he has at the same time maintained the position of CFO. Kjell Thörnbring has a B.Sc in Business Administration from the Gothenburg University and he has previously had [...]

Exactech Employee Chooses a Home-Grown Total Knee for Himself

  Man helps design his own knee-replacement (Gainesville.com) Kevin Hindle, seen here on Wednesday with an artificial knee joint, regained his active lifestyle when his knee was replaced with a part he manufactures at Exactech in Gainesville.  

What Role Does Biologics Play in Sports Medicine?: 4 Physician Responses

What Role Does Biologics Play in Sports Medicine?: 4 Physician Responses (written by Laura Miller @ Beckers) Four leading orthopedic sports medicine physicians discuss how biologics are being used in sports medicine and what impact they will have on sports medicine in the future.  T. Jeffrey Emel, MD, at Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center, Tulsa. At [...]

ConforMIS Raises $68M in Stock Offering for More Working Capital

  ConforMIS Launches $68M Offering (Boston CityBizList) ConforMIS Inc.has launched a $68 million series E-1 and E-2 convertible preferred stock offering, with funds raised to be used towards working capital. In 2009, the Burlington, Mass.-based medical device company hauled in $50 million from private-equity and sovereign-wealth funds in the U.S., Asia, Europe and the Middle East, as citybizlist [...]

Study Finds New Sealant Gel Effective in Closing Spinal Wounds Postoperatively

Study finds new sealant gel effective in closing spinal wounds postoperatively (OrthoSuperSite) A national multicenter randomized study by researchers with the UC Davis Health System has found a polyethylene glycol hydrogel sealant to be effective in the postoperative sealing ofspinal wounds, according to a press release. The gel plugs miniscule leaks in the dura of the spinal cord. [...]

Chinese Implant Maker, Bonovo Orthopedics, to Sell Hips and Knees

Bonovo® Orthopedics, Inc. Launches New Division Focused on Joint Reconstruction (press release) http://www.bonovo-ortho.com/ BEIJING–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bonovo® Orthopedics, Inc. announced today that it has formed Bonovo Recon™, a new division dedicated to accelerating the growth of Bonovo’s hip and knee product development and sales initiatives. Bonovo Recon begins operations with a full line of hip and knee [...]

A Closer Look at DePuy’s New President, Andrew Ekdahl, and the Challenges He Faces

Ekdahl Promoted to DePuy Orthopaedics President (OTW) DePuy announces new Leadership (press release) DePuy’s Ekdahl off and running (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette) DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. wants a dynasty, not a debacle. Andrew Ekdahl, whom DePuy officials announced this month as the company’s new president, is now entrusted with leading the medical-device business. The company veteran [...]

Smith & Nephew Acquires Calgary-Based Arthroscopy Business, TENET Medical Engineering

Smith & Nephew Inc. Acquires Privately-Held TENET Medical Engineering, Inc.; Premier Provider of Surgical Patient Positioning Equipment (press release) ANDOVER, Mass., June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Smith & Nephew, (NYSE: SNN; LSE: SN), on behalf of its Endoscopy Division announced today the acquisition of privately-held, Calgary, Alberta-based TENET Medical Engineering, Inc. TENET markets leading edge technology in the area [...]

Indiana’S $44B Life Sciences Industry Packs a Powerful Punch

Indiana’s $44 Billion Life Sciences Industry Packs a Powerful Punch (press release) New report underscores state’s national rankings as a life sciences leader in the areas of exports, employment concentration, job growth and FDA filings.

The FDA Has Lengthened the Average 510(k) Clearance Time, +37% in 4 Years

  Analysis of US FDA Data Shows 37% Increase in 510(k) Clearance Times Since 2006 (QMed) Key findings from Emergo Group include: • More than 53% of FDA 510(k) submissions are cleared by the agency in less than 3 months. More than 80% are cleared within 6 months. • In 2006, 510(k) applications cleared by the [...]

Vexim, a French Spine Startup, Gives an Update on the SpineJack

http://www.vexim.fr/ Vexim: Two New Implants (written by Elizabeth Hofheinz @ Orthopedics This Week) A certain minimally invasive (MI) French company now has maximum coverage of the spine…Vexim, an enterprise specializing in the MI anatomical treatment of vertebral compression fractures, has just added two new implant sizes to its SpineJack range of implants. The new sizes [...]

FDA Needs Better Recall Monitoring, Says GAO

US FDA needs better recall monitoring, says GAO (Reuters) Congressional auditors have faulted U.S. health regulators for failing to track unsafe medical devices after they are recalled, opening the door to further risks to patients.  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found 21 high-risk recalls between 2005 and 2009 where companies were unable to correct or [...]

Senators Investigating Medtronic for Links Between Surgeons Consulting Fees and Infuse Usage

  The Senate letter to Medtronic – June 21, 2011 Senators Look Into Medtronic, Doctors (WSJ Blog) The Senate Finance Committee is investigating whether surgeons who received large sums of money from medical-device giant Medtronic Inc. for consulting and other work failed to note complications associated with a Medtronic bone-growth protein that has become widely used in [...]

Dentsply to Acquire Astra Tech for $1.8B Making Dentsply the #3 Dental Implant Maker

FT: Dentsply in Talks to Buy Astra Tech (HealthPointCapital) Dentsply buys Astra Tech for $1.8 billion (Reuters – UK) The Financial Times broke rumors yesterday evening that Dentsply was is exclusive negotiations to acquire Astra Tech. The deal is reportedly valued at about $1.8 billion. Details of the auction have never been disclosed, but at various [...]

Spinal Modulation Raises $30M to Develop Electrical Stimulator to Spinal Cord

  Back Pain Company Raises $30 Million (written by Biloine Young @ OTW) Spinal Modulation, Inc., a developer of an implantable spinal cord stimulator system has just completed a $30 million Series D financing to fund U.S. and international clinical trials. Spinal Modulation’s product is, essentially, a pacemaker that delivers programmable amounts of electricity to [...]

15 Spine Devices Received 510(k) Clearance in May

15 Spine Devices Receive FDA 510(k) Clearance in May (compiled by Laura Miller @ Beckers) The FDA cleared these 15 spine-related 510(k)s in May: 1. Issys LP Spinal Fixation System from Custom Spine. 2. Ellipse Occipito-Cervico-Thoracic Spinal System from Globus Medical. 3. Streamline TL Spinal System from Pioneer Surgical Technologies. 4. SeaSpine Spacer System from [...]

NovaBone Adds New VP R&D and Expands Facility

NOVA BONE: Much More Than a Shooting Star! (SpineBlogger) NovaBone Expands Development Capabilities for Orthopedic and Dental Bioactive Bone Graft Substitutes (press release) NovaBone Putty MIS, NovaBone. The new system includes a syringe with pre-loaded NovaBone Putty and six millimeter diameter cannulas at varying lengths for bone grafting at the surgical site. The system delivers [...]

OrthoFix CEO Resigns – Alan Milinazzo Out, Robert Vaters In

out in Robert S. Vaters Named President and Chief Executive Officer (press release) OFIX CEO Resigns; COO Named as Replacement (HealthPointCapital)        

6 Ancillary Services to Increase Your Orthopedic Practice Revenue

6 Ancillary Services to Increase Your Orthopedic Practice Revenue (written by Lindsey Dunn @ Beckers) As physician fees continue to be pressured by Medicare and other payors, it becomes more important than ever for physician practices to look at ancillary services as a possible means to generate additional revenue — simply increasing patient volume may [...]

5 Things Orthopedics Practices Can Do Immediately to Improve Profits

5 Things Orthopedics and Spine Practices Can Do Immediately to Improve Profits (written by Renee Tomcanin @ Beckers) Here are five changes and improvements orthopedic and spine practices can make immediately to improve profits in their practices. 1. Involve physicians in creating business policies. Solid business fundamentals are more important than ever in running a [...]

Spinal Modulation Receives $30M for Its Spinal Cord Stimulator

  Spinal Modulation Secures $30 Million Series D Financing (press release) Spinal Modulation, Inc. announced today the completion of its $30 million Series D financing. Medtronic, Inc. joined existing investors DeNovo Ventures, ePlanet/DFJ, InCube Ventures, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC), Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, MedVenture Associates, and Raffles Venture Partners. Spinal Modulation has [...]

FDA Approves 1st Ceramic-on-Metal Total Hip Replacement

FDA Approves First Ceramic-On-Metal Total Hip Replacement (press release) The FDA approved the first ceramic-on-metal total artificial hip system for osteoarthritis patients, a device made by Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) DePuy Orthopaedics unit, the agency said Tuesday.

How Long Will Joint Replacements Last?

  How Long Will Joint Replacements Last? (OTW) Only a few years ago, joint replacements were performed, almost exclusively, on individuals in their 60s and 70s because, in the absence of compelling long-term wear data, most surgeons assumed that implants would not last more than 15 to 20 years. As a result, most surgeons encouraged [...]

4 Orthopedic Technology Trends Involving Devices

4 Orthopedic Implant and Device Developments (written by Lindsey Dunn @ Beckers) Here are four recent technological trends involving orthopedic implants and devices. 1. Mobile bearing partial knee replacement. In a partial knee replacement, surgeons modify part of the patient’s knee to improve function instead of removing and then replacing the full knee, and mobile [...]

Robotics in Orthopedic Surgery: 6 Points on the Present and Future

Robotics in Orthopedic Surgery: 6 Points on the Present and Future (written by Laura Miller @ Beckers) Robotic and computer-assisted technology is now available for use during orthopedic and spine procedures. There are many concerns associated with the efficacy and efficiency of this technology, especially since it costs hospitals a great deal of money to [...]

DePuy Announces New President After Only 3 Months of Searching

  DePuy Announces New Leadership (press release) WARSAW, IN — DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a global leader in devices for joint replacement and trauma, has named Andrew Ekdahl its new President, the company announced today. Ekdahl will lead the company’s growing orthopaedic business and serve on the DePuy Franchise Global Management Board of the DePuy Family [...]

OrthoSensor Wins ISO Certification for Its Smart Knee Trialing System

  OrthoSensor, Intelligent Orthopedic Device Innovator, Receives ISO 13485 Certification (press release) OrthoSensor sells a smart trialing system gives surgeon intra-operaive advice on balanced loading of the knee.  It’s smart knee disposable trialing system is already 510(k) cleared. The Future of Orthopedics is Smart Implants http://www.orthosensor.com      

An Ortho-Tag Sensor Will Tell Orthopedists the Condition of an Implanted Device With the Wave of a Wand

  Wireless tags give physicians details and condition of orthopedic implants with the wave of a wand (TechNews) Ortho-Tag would be affixed to an orthopedic implant and scanned via radio-frequency with a probe and RFID tag developed at Pitt. A card (foreground) would be available to patients with an existing implant. Credit: U of Pittsburgh [...]

Staying Competitive in the Orthopedic Device Market: Q&a With Stryker Orthopaedics

Staying Competitive in the Orthopedic Device Market: Q&A With Stryker Orthopaedics (written by Laura Miller @ Beckers) In a recent survey published by Mass Device about the most innovative companies in the market, Stryker received 29 percent of the vote in the hip market and 20 percent in the knee market. Here, a spokesperson for [...]

Medical-Device Venture Capitalists Go to Washington

Medical-Device Venture Capitalists Go To Washington (WSJ Blog) Health care-focused venture capitalists have long been telling anyone on Capitol Hill who will listen that problems at the Food and Drug Administration are stifling innovation and deal flow, as they say the agency is inconsistent and vague on the rules for approving new medical technologies.

Synthes & Eli Lilly to Co-Develop Osteoporosis Drugs

Synthes and Lilly Sign Development and Collaboration Agreement (press release) Synthes, Eli Lilly To Cooperate On Orthopedic Products (WSJ) ZURICH (Dow Jones)–Swiss surgical implant maker Synthes Inc (SYST.VX) Thursday said it had signed an agreement with Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY) to license and co-develop orthopedic products. The deal will focus on patients in surgical [...]

5 Senators Start Investigation Into the Legality of Physician-Owned Distributorships (PODs)

Senators Request Probe of Surgeons (Wall Street Journal) Five U.S. senators asked the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to open an investigation into physician-owned distributorships, middleman entities that allow surgeons to profit from the medical devices they use on their patients, to determine whether they are legal. U.S. Senate Looking [...]

Feds Seek Prison for Synthes Execs Over Norian Deaths

Feds seek prison for Pa. execs over surgery deaths (Philly.com) Lawyers seek leniency for ex-Synthes executives (Philly.com) Synthes Executives plead guilty in connection with illegal clinical trials of Norian bone cement on patients (Philly.com – July 2009) Synthes and Norian Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, pleaded guilty to charges related to introducing adulterated and misbranded [...]

Brainlab Acquires Voyant Health for an Undisclosed Amount

Brainlab buys orthopedic imaging co Voyant Health for $10m (Globes) Brainlab Acquires Voyant Health (press release) MUNICH and TEL AVIV, Israel, June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Brainlab announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Voyant Health. Voyant Health’s core technology, TraumaCad , allows orthopedic surgeons to access patient [...]

Higher Risk of Complications After Joint Replacement Seen at Low-Volume Hospitals

Higher risk of complications after joint replacement seen at low-volume hospitals (OrthoSuperSite) Patients who undergo elective total hip or total knee arthroplasty at hospitals with lower surgical volume have a higher postoperative risk of venous thromboembolism and mortality.  

4 Points on Bringing New Spine Technology to the Market – Q&a With Mazor CEO Ori Hadomi

Mazor CEO Ori Hadomi: 4 Points on Bringing New Spine Technology to the Market (written by Laura Miller @ Beckers) When Mazor’s SpineAssist was introduced in the United States about four years ago, there were several aspects of the technology with the potential for improvement. Since then, the company has gathered feedback and made improvements [...]

List of 10 Spine Surgeons Performing MIS Sacroiliac Joint Surgery

10 Spine Surgeons Performing Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Surgery (written by Laura Miller @ Beckers) Neel Anand, MD (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles). Dr. Anand is the director of orthopedic spine surgery at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, where he also researches minimally invasive surgical techniques for spinal disorders and traumas. During his career, he has been [...]

Stryker Acquires Memometal Technologies for Nitinol Bone Staple Business for $162M (5 X Multiple for a Extremities Trauma Company)

Stryker Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Privately-Held Memometal Technologies S.A. for $162 Million (press release) A Look at the Numbers… $150M cash + $12M earnout 5 X Sales of $30M in 2010 Memometal Technologies Acquires OrthoGlide Ankle Technology From Advanced Bio-Surfaces, Inc (Feb 2010)  

Generic Trauma Implant Manufacturer to Offer Bone Screws for 60%-75% Less Than Brand Names

Maker of medical implants creating a low-cost niche (Northern Nevada Business Weekly) OIC Facebook Page Get ready for generic implants in Orthopedics – quality legacy products + no sales rep http://www.orthoimplantcompany.com/      

Medtronic Sofamor Danek to Cut 82 Memphis Jobs

Medtronic to Cut 82 Memphis Jobs (The Daily News)  

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February 22, 2012

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