Spine Startup Soteira Enters the VCF Market in the U.S. With the Shield Kyphoplasty System

Soteira Enters U.S. VCF Market (Walter Eisner @ OTW) Soteira Inc. of Natick, Massachusetts, has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the company’s Shield Kyphoplasty System in the U.S. In the December 12 press release, Larry Jasinski, Soteira’s president and CEO, said the system includes a “unilateral, steerable [...]

Why Are Biomet Sales Up? Is the Ortho Industry Turning Around?

Do Biomet’s Rising Sales Beckon a New Ortho Dawn? (Walter Eisner @ OTW) Biomet, Inc. reported a preliminary 4% rise in second quarter 2012 sales after the markets closed on December 19. Total revenues totaled $725.1 million. The next day, orthopedic stocks shot through the roof. Zimmer climbed almost 7%, while Stryker [...]

Synthes Sues Stryker Over Confidential Information Acquired From Former Employees

Synthes division sues Stryker over secrets, hiring (Detroit Free Press) A division of Synthes, the world’s largest maker of bone-related medical devices, has sued Stryker, accusing the Kalamazoo-based firm of raiding its San Francisco sales force and using confidential information from former employees. Stryker seeks to obtain “an improper competitive advantage” in the industry [...]

Graphite Carbon Is Found to Be a Key Lubricant in Long-Lasting Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants

Lubricant in metal-on-metal hip implants found to be graphite (OrthoSuperSite) Graphite carbon is a key element in the lubricating layer that forms in metal-on-metal hip implants, according to a study recently published in Science. The study was funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, part of the National Institutes of [...]

Orthopedic Surgeon Uses a “Sterile” iPad Every Day in the Operating Room

DC surgeon: “I use the iPad every day in the operating room” (David Raths @ TabTimes) Felasfa M. Wodajo, MD explains how and why the iPad has so quickly become such an indispensable tool during surgery Some hospitals and health systems are working on customizing their clinical information systems so that doctors making their [...]

Spine Fusion Rates Are Increasing – Structural Allografts, Interbody Fusions, and Cervical Plates

Researchers report increase in spine fusions, structural allografts (OrthoSuperSite) Between 1999 and 2008, orthopedic spine surgery rates increased, with more surgeons performing fusions and using structural allografts, interbody devices or anterior cervical plates, according to Boston researchers. The researchers aimed to determine the change in rates and types of procedures performed for cervical spine surgery by geographic region. [...]

CEO Change at Integra LifeSciences, Peter Arduini in –> Stuart Essig Out

Integra LifeSciences Announces Appointment of Peter Arduini as President and Chief Executive Officer; Stuart Essig Named Chairman of the Board (press release) Integra LifeSciences Appoints New CEO (Lauren Uzdienski @ HealthPointCapital) Integra LifeSciences appointed Peter Arduini President and Chief Executive Officer. He’s been promoted from the role of President and Chief Operating Officer, a post he’s held [...]

J&J DePuy to Sell Anika Therapeutics MONOVISC Hylaronic Acid Injections in the US

Anika Therapeutics Announces U.S. MONOVISC® License and Supply Agreement with DePuy Mitek, Inc. (press release) Anika Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANIK) today announced the signing of an exclusive, multi-year U.S. licensing and supply agreement with DePuy Mitek, Inc., a leading orthopedic sports medicine company, for Anika’s MONOVISC®, a highly purified, high molecular weight form of hyaluronic acid for [...]

20 Orthopedic & Spine Device Company Financial Reports

20 Orthopedic & Spine Device Company Financial Reports (Laura Miller @ Beckers) Here are the most recent financial reports for 20 orthopedic and spine device companies. Much of the success was driven by international markets, but a few companies reported sales growth in the U.S. spine and orthopedics markets. Alphatec Holdings’ Alphatec Spine reported $47.6 [...]

Smith & Nephew $85 Million Verdict Against Arthrex Removed

Smith & Nephew $85 Million Verdict Against Arthrex Removed (Bloomberg) A U.S. judge threw out an $85 million verdict that Smith & Nephew Plc had won against Arthrex Inc. over patented technology for surgical anchors used in shoulder surgery.

MedMarket Report: The Global Market for Products in Spine Surgery

Drivers of spine surgery worldwide (MedMarket)

OrthoHelix Ranked 2nd Fasted Growing Company in Northeast Ohio

www.orthohelix.com OrthoHelix Surgical Designs, Inc. Named in the 2011 Weatherhead 100 (press release) OrthoHelix Surgical Designs has been named in the 2011 Weatherhead 100. On December 1st, OrthoHelix will be honored, along with other Northeast Ohio companies, at a black-tie event and learn of their ranking in this year’s 100. Winners are chosen [...]

Cemented Polished Stems Preserve Femur in Young Patients Receiving THA

Cemented polished stems preserve femur in young patients receiving THA (OrthoSuperSite) The use of cemented polished stems may help preserve the femur in young patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, according to Australian researchers. Bogdan Solomon, MD, presented his team’s findings at the SICOT XXV Triennial World Congress 2011, in Prague. “Total hip replacement performed in young patients has [...]

Senators Ask Medtronic About Their Post-Market Device Tracking Regarding Infuse

Senators press Medtronic for device info (Star Tribune) WASHINGTON – Three U.S. senators have asked Fridley-based Medtronic Inc. to supply detailed information about how the company keeps track of its medical devices after they go to market. In a six-page letter that strikes an investigational tone, Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, Herb Kohl, [...]

Orthopedic Companies Are Shifting More Sales OUS to Escape the New Tax

Orthopedic tax pains (Sherry Slater @ Journal Gazette) With U.S. sales to grow costlier, one company looks abroad Nick Deeter’s five-year-old company is growing, but he’s the one in pain. The founder and chairman of OrthoPediatrics Corp. knows the financially responsible thing to do is market his products overseas. Not only do U.S. sales [...]

Zimmer Launches New Modular Hip System in the U.S.

Zimmer Brings New Hip Stem to U.S. (Walter Eisner @ OTW) Zimmer Holdings, Inc. says it has a new hip stem technology now available in the U.S. that enables surgeons to “better match patients’ individual anatomies” with modular neck options designed for independent, intraoperative adjustments. The CLS Brevius Hip Stem with Kinectiv Technology [...]

New Bill Would Require Companies to Monitoring of 510(k) Implants Systems

Bill Would Require More Monitoring of Implants (NY Times) Amid growing problems with artificial hips and other medical implants, bipartisan legislation was introduced in the Senate on Wednesday that would force manufacturers to track the performance of such products after they were approved for sale. The bill would allow the Food and Drug Administration [...]

Smith & Nephew Orthopedics Cuts 104 Employees in Memphis & Boston in Aftermath of Self Merger

Smith & Nephew cuts include 24 in Mass. (MassDevice) Layoffs: Smith & Nephew cuts 80 in Memphis orthopedics arm (MassDevice) Smith & Nephew lays off 80 employees in Memphis (Commercial Appeal – Memphis) Smith & Nephew Inc. laid off 80 employees in Memphis Tuesday after the company combined the Memphis-based orthopaedic reconstruction division and its Andover, Mass.-based [...]

Orthopedic and Spine 510(k) Clearances in November = 39

39 Orthopedic & Spine Devices Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance in November (Laura Miller @ Beckers) Nano Suture Anchor from Linatec Corporation. Leucadia MIS Pedicle Screw System from Phygen. Aequalis Shoulder System from Tornier Ascension NuGrip CMC Implant from Ascension Orthopedic. Trimed Clavicle Fixation System from Trimed. Milestone Knee System from TGM Medical. Synthes Zero-P Variable Angle from Synthes Spine. [...]

Spinal Kinetics Artificial Disc Patent Dodges Synthes Patent in Court

‘ Spinal Kinetics Wins in Synthes Patent Suit (press release) Spinal Kinetics, the designer and manufacturer of the innovative M6(R) Artificial Disc, today announced that a jury in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, has found that the M6 does not infringe on Synthes’ U.S. Patent No. 7,429,270. The jury found [...]

SANUWAVE Shock Wave Technology Shown to Proliferate Adult Stem Cells

SANUWAVE Technology Shown to Proliferate Adult Stem Cells (press release) SANUWAVE Health, Inc., an emerging medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of noninvasive, biological response activating devices in regenerative medicine, today announced the publication of peer-reviewed, preclinical data that demonstrate the ability of the Company’s extracorporeal shock wave technology (ESWT) to [...]

Synovis, the Orthopedic Soft Tissue Repair Company, Acquired by Baxter for $325M

Synovis to be acquired for $325M Baxter International Inc. said it is buying Synovis Life Technologies Inc., a medical device company in St. Paul, for $325 million. The deal is expected to close early next year. Baxter is a global maker of blood products and intravenous drugs based in Deerfield, Ill. [...]

Moodys: US Medical Device Firms Face Soft Organic Growth Prospects

Moody’s: U.S. medical device firms face soft organic growth prospects (Mass Device) U.S. medical products and device makers are likely to pursue share buybacks, dividends and acquisitions to satisfy shareholders and spur growth as demand remains soft and pricing pressure intensifies, Moody’s Investors Service said. Slow organic sales growth is expected over the [...]

Short Video Interview: EnHatch, a Different Kind of Medical Device Development Company

EnHatch website 10 startups from mHealth 2011: EnHatch (MedCityNews) A Lyndhurst, New Jersey-based health IT and medical device company, EnHatch, gives medical innovators, surgeons and physicians the tools to get their ideas to market as soon as possible. Its focuses on collaboration between surgeons and engineers in the development of medical devices. Its vice president of [...]

4 Former Synthes Executives Sentenced to Prison Time for Unapproved Bone Cement Study

Sentencing… Michael Huggins (ex-COO @ Synthes) 9 months jail time currently under appeal Thomas Higgins (ex-Sr VP @ Synthes) 9 months jail time Richard Bohner (ex-VP @ Synthes) 8 months jail time John Walsh (ex-Director Clin/Reg @ Synthes) 5 months jail time Ex-Synthes Exec Bohner Sentenced To 8 Months In Prison In Bone-Cement Case (WSJ [...]

Symmetry Medical Acquires J&Js Codman Surgical Instruments Business for $165M Cash

Symmetry Medical to Acquire the Surgical Instruments Business of Codman & Shurtleff (press release) Summary of Strategic and Financial Benefits of the Transaction Diversifies Symmetry’s revenue base with higher margin hospital direct business representing ~25% of total revenue; 2011 pro-forma revenue for the acquired surgical instrument business is approximately $60 million; Strengthens Symmetry’s intellectual [...]

Stryker Closes 2 Plants in New York, Cutting 160 Jobs

Gaymar set to close, cutting 160 jobs (BuffaloNews.com) Maker of medical devices, founded in 1956, will shutter Orchard Park and West Seneca operations after buyout by Stryker Corp. last year Gaymar Industries’ Orchard Park and West Seneca operations will close by the end of next year, eliminating 160 jobs, victims of cost-cutting measures by [...]

Oxford Performance Materials Is Now “Laser Printing” Patient-Specific Spinal Implants

Oxford Performance Materials website Oxford Announces Patient-Specific Implants (Biloine Young @ OTW) Osteofab, a division of Oxford Performance Materials (OPM) of South Windsor, Connecticut, has manufactured and shipped its first patient-specific implant. According to OPM President Scott Defelice, the custom-designed implant is made by a selective laser centering machine from a polymer called polyetherketoneketone [...]

S&N Interview Regarding Their Strategy to Expand Into BRIC Countries

S&N: Innovation, Education Key to Emerging Market (VIDEO: Morningstar UK) Medical-device expansion in the BRIC countries will accelerate as price points are lowered and more doctors learn how to use orthopaedics, says Smith & Nephew’s Phil Cowdy Julie Stralow: Hello, I’m Julie Stralow, equity analyst at Morningstar. Today, we have Phil Cowdy here from [...]

13 Orthopedic Device Company Cuts & Expansions in 2011

13 Orthopedic Device Company Cuts & Expansions in 2011 (Laura Miller @ Beckers) Here are 13 orthopedic and spine device company facility and personnel cuts and expansions in 2011. Plans released earlier this year reported that Biomet would cut up to 200 jobs, mostly in European operations. The company considered cutting 21 jobs from United [...]

Global Spine Surgery Market Analysis 2011

Worldwide Spine Surgery Device Market by Modality, 2010 Global spine surgery market analysis 2011 (MedMarket) In mid 2011, we completed a comprehensive analysis of the products, technologies, markets and companies in the field of spine surgery. This $13 billion market is comprised of predominantly medical devices that address trauma, degenerative disc disease and a wide range [...]

Medtronic Infuse Woes Prompt Subpoena From California Attorney General

Medtronic Infuse Woes Prompt Subpoena from California Attorney General (NewsInferno) Medtronic, Inc. has disclosed that the California Attorney General issued a subpoena to the company in October as part of an investigation into its Infuse bone graft product. In its latest 10-Q filing, Medtronic said it was fully cooperating with the California probe, [...]

Scorecard – DOJ Versus Orthopedic Companies

What company will be next? Wright Medical Sept 29, 2010 – agreed to DPA for 12 months and agreed to pay a civil settlement amount of $7.9M May 5, 2011 – the Office notified Wright that it had received information that Wright had knowingly and willfully breached material provisions of the DPA 2011 – [...]

Small Bone Innovations Secures a $43M Credit Facility

Small Bone Innovations, Inc. Secures $43 Million Credit Facility (press release) NEW YORK, Dec 07, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), a leading, privately held orthopedics company focused exclusively on technologies and treatments for the small bones & joints, has closed on a $43 million credit facility to help further [...]

Exactech Extends Deferred Prosecution Agreement With US Attorneys Office

Exactech Announces Agreement with U.S. Attorney’s Office (press release) GAINESVILLE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Exactech, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXAC - News), a developer and producer of bone and joint restoration products for hip, knee, shoulder, spine and biologic materials, announced today that it agreed to enter into an amendment to its Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the United States Attorney’s [...]

Nationwide Study to Determine if Spinal Discs Can Be Regenerated With a Stem Cell Injection

Definitive Back-Pain Study? (Biloine Young @ OTW) Can a single injection of stem cells repair and regenerate diseased lumbar discs? That question may soon be answered by the first of its kind nationwide study that will test the safety and efficacy of the use of mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) to replace bone, [...]

World Orthopaedic Surgeons Vow to Cooperate to Provide Cost-Effective Medical Services

World orthopaedic surgeons vow to cooperate to provide cost-effective medical services (Beijing December 5 Kazinform) Acclaimed orthopaedic surgeons and experts attending a major conference in Beijing have agreed to build up a platform for international cooperation aiming at jointly coping with medical and social challenges. According to Xinhua, at the [...]

Spotlight on Treating the SI Joint at NASS & EuroSpine – SI-BONE iFuse Implants Discussed

Thought-leading spine surgeon presentations support increased awareness of SI joint diagnosis and iFuse® Implant System for minimally invasive SI joint fusion (press release) SI-BONE, Inc. (San Jose, California), a medical device company that is pioneering the use of a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) device to treat the sacroiliac (SI) joint reported today that [...]

Strykers Reaction to the Upcoming Medical Device Tax

Beyond The Medical Device Tax (Worcester Business Journal) Last month, when Michigan medical device maker Stryker Corp., which has operations in Hopkinton, announced plans to reduce its worldwide workforce by 5 percent, it didn’t take long for observers to connect the cuts to a federal tax on medical device makers scheduled to take [...]

10 Surgeon Appointments to Orthopedic and Spine Device Companies

10 Surgeon Appointments to Orthopedic and Spine Device Companies (Laura Miller @ Beckers) Here are 10 orthopedic and spine surgeons who have been appointed to medical and scientific advisory boards of device companies since last December. Theralase Technologies appointed James Andrews, MD, founder of Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Gulf [...]

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February 22, 2012

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