(Reuters) Medtronic’s third-quarter earnings rose nearly 6 percent, but sales of major heart and spine devices fell, and European sales weakened in January, the company reported Tuesday.European markets generate about a quarter of Medtronic’s total revenue.Omar Ishrak, the company’s chairman and chief executive, called the quarter “challenging.” Still, he referred to signs of improvement in […]
2013
US Minimally Invasive Spine Technology Market to Grow Strongly to $2 Billion by 2017
TORONTO, Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, despite some significant downward pressures, the United States market for minimally invasive (MI) spine technologies will grow strongly, reaching nearly $2 billion by 2017. Most of this growth will come from expansion of the largest […]
Independent Study Demonstrates Clinical Advantages Of Kiva over Balloon Kyphoplasty
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — An independent, prospective, randomized study of patients with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) comparing the effectiveness of balloon kyphoplasty with the Kiva VCF Treatment System by Benvenue Medical, Inc. found that only the Kiva system significantly restored vertebral body wedge deformity, Gardner angle. The Kiva system […]
Researchers Coat Spinal Polymer Implants with Bioactive Film to Improve Bonding with Bone
Researchers from North Carolina State University have for the first time successfully coated polymer implants with a bioactive film. The discovery should improve the success rate of suchimplants – which are often used in spinal surgeries.The polymer used in these implants, called PEEK, does not bond well with bone or other tissues in the body. […]
ApiFix Receives CE Mark for its Innovative Treatment System for Scoliosis
MISGAV, Israel, February 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –ApiFix Ltd., recently received CE Mark for its minimally invasive treatment system for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). ApiFix also reports that it has successfully completed a pilot clinical trial with positive results.Today’s gold standard for correction AIS involves permanent spinal fusion of an average of 10 motion levels, using […]
New spinal implant procedure was first performed in Marion
Feb. 14, 2013,A doctor with a satellite office in Marion was the first in Illinois to perform a procedure that is bringing relief to patients with back pain.Dr. Richard A. Kube II introduced the coflex® Interlaminar Implant to his patients. The first procedure was performed in Marion at the Southern Illinois Surgery Center. In Illinois, […]
Kimberly-Clark Introduces Revolutionary CERVICOOL Cooled Radiofrequency System for Cervical Joint Pain
ROSWELL, Ga., Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Kimberly-Clark today announced the launch of CERVICOOL Cooled Radiofrequency (RF) System, an innovative option for helping resolve cervical facet joint pain. With the addition of CERVICOOL Cooled RF System, Kimberly-Clark now offers a complete portfolio of cooled radiofrequency treatment for all segments of the spine, from the cervical […]
AxioMed® Spine Corporation Announces Freedom® Cervical Disc European Introduction
GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO — AxioMed® Spine Corporation (www.axiomed.com) announces the commercial introduction of its Freedom® Cervical Disc in Europe with a successful implantation in Switzerland. The Freedom Cervical Disc received CE Mark in 2012. AxioMed will also conduct a multi-center Freedom Cervical Disc study as a post-market assessment of the total disc replacement device for […]
VEXIM : accelerates its European development by establishing a subsidiary in the UK
Vexim (Paris:ALVXM), a medical device company specializing in minimally invasive treatment of vertebral fractures, today announces the establishment of a new subsidiary, VEXIM UK Ltd that will enable the company to expand its European network and accelerate commercialization of the SpineJack® product range.“The UK market for minimally invasive treatment of vertebral fractures is ranked among […]
Senators push to repeal U.S. medical device tax; success unlikely
(Reuters) – A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday to repeal a tax on medical devices that is part of President Barack Obama’s healthcare law, although the proposal likely faces an uphill climb in Congress.The tax applies to a range of medical products – everything from bedpans and surgical tools to the […]
MN Businesses, Lawmakers Lash Out Against Medical Device Tax
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Minnesota’s medical device makers say a new tax to help pay for the federal health care law could cause cutbacks, and even layoffs.The state is home to more than 700 medical device companies, and between 250,000 to 300,000 workers.The nine employees left at Signus, a Chanhassen-based spinal implant company, took a 40 […]
Misonix Reports Financial Results for First Half of Fiscal 2013
FARMINGDALE, N.Y., Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Misonix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSON), a surgical device company that designs, manufactures and markets innovative therapeutic ultrasonic products worldwide for spine surgery, cranial maxillo – facial surgery, neurosurgery, wound debridement, cosmetic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and other surgical applications, today reported financial results for the six-months and the second quarter […]
Zimmer Told to Pay Stryker $70 Million in Patent Case
Zimmer Holdings Inc. was told to pay $70 million to Stryker Corp. for infringing patents related to a device that removes damaged tissue and cleans bones during joint-replacement surgery.Zimmer infringed three Stryker patents, a federal jury in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said today. The jury also found the infringement was willful, meaning U.S. District Judge Robert […]
The Better Way Back®, a Nuvasive® Patient Education Program, Reaches 1,000 Patient Ambassadors
SAN DIEGO, February 5, 2013 – NuVasive, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUVA), a medical device company focused on developing minimally disruptive surgical products and procedures for the spine, is pleased to announce that The Better Way Back®, a NuVasive supported patient education program, has reached over 1,000 active patient ambassadors nationwide.The Better Way Back’s ambassadors are patients […]
HydroCision References the Recent Internet Spine Journal Study as Encouraging and Hopeful for the Estimated 60 Million Suffering with Symptomatic Spinal Lumbar Disc Herniations
NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – HydroCision Inc., a privately held medical device company, announced the results of a multi-center study published in the January edition of the Internet Spine Journal demonstrating a 94% improvement in back and leg pain for patients receiving Hydrodiscectomy.It has been estimated that more than 60 million people […]
Medical Device Using Evonik’s Receives First FDA Spinal 510(K) Approval
PARSIPPANY, N.J. — K7 LLC’s K7C™ Cervical Spacer, a spinal implant device using Evonik’s VESTAKEEP®PEEK (polyetheretherketone), has received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 510(k) approval for use as an Intervertebral Body Fusion (IBF) device.This marks the first time a VESTAKEEP® PEEK-based spinal fusion medical device has gained 510(k) approval from the FDA. The […]
Minn. med-tech companies pushing to end device tax
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Medical device makers in Minnesota and across the nation this week started paying a 2.3 percent tax on products they sell.The industry complains the tax, part of the federal health care overhaul, creates an unfair and unwise burden that will impede innovation and kill jobs. But supporters of the law contend […]
Zimmer slides on lower spine market outlook
Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZMH) today reported financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2012. The Company reported fourth quarter net sales of $1.18 billion, an increase of 1.1% reported and 2.1% constant currency over the fourth quarter of 2011. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.88 reported […]
Pioneer Surgical opens new office in Germany
Marquette-based Pioneer Surgical Technology announced that it is expanding its international presence–and not just competitively. The company–which has developed successful products in the spine, biologics, orthopedics, and cardiothoracic markets–announced that it will open a new facility in Konstanz, Germany.The company, in turn, has created Pioneer Surgical technology Deutschland GMBH to help give them a better presence […]
Global Spinal Nonfusion Market to Grow to $1 Billion by 2017, Despite Challenges
TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/– According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, demographic factors, particularly growth in the over-50 population and increasing obesity, coupled with a growing interest in motion-preserving technologies, will help the global spinal nonfusion market to grow to over $1 billion by 2017.However, many countries […]
Amedica Announces Expansion Of Executive Team
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Amedica Corporation, a spinal and reconstructive medical device manufacturer, today announced several new additions to its executive management team to help guide the company’s efforts as Amedica shifts the standard of care for interbody fusion devices toward proprietary Silicon Nitride (Si(3)N(4)) ceramic. Four strategic appointments, including a […]
Medtronic launches global spinal cord neurostim trial
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – MINNEAPOLIS – January 28, 2013 – Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) today announced the start of PROMISE, a Prospective, Randomized Study of Multicolumn Implantable Lead Stimulation for Predominant Low Back Pain. This is the first-ever, large-scale study comparing the effectiveness of Medtronic neurostimulation therapy with Specify® 5-6-5 multicolumn surgical leads plus optimal medical management […]
Growth factor: UM spinoff aims to use mesh to create bone
It sounds futuristic: Tissue Regeneration Systems Inc. is in the business of using a biodegradable polymer mesh to grow new bone and replace the titanium implants now in use. But the future isn’t so far off.With a fresh round of venture capital funding, including $500,000 from a new state of Michigan fund, and animal trials […]
J&J profit soars on fewer charges, Synthes deal
Johnson &Johnson reported a surge in fourth-quarter earnings from a year-earlier period that was weighed down by legal costs, while an acquisition helped sales rise 8%.The health-care giant, which is trying to bounce back from a series of product recalls, had lighter-than-expected quarterly sales and issued a forecast for 2013 earnings that fell slightly short of […]
Brazilian, Indian and Chinese Orthopedic Markets to See Strong Growth Through 2017
TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, the Brazilian, Indian and Chinese markets for spinal implants and bone graft substitutes (BGS) will grow strongly, to a total value of more than $3 billion by 2017, while the trauma and reconstructive joint implants […]
Neuralstem’s stem cells give spinal injury patients hope
Physicians, researchers, patients and their advocates in the spinal injury field are keeping a close eye on Rockville biotech Neuralstem as it prepares to launch a Phase 1 safety trial of its stem cell treatment for chronic spinal cord injury.The Food and Drug Administration approved the trial Monday. Neuralstem plans to conduct the study on […]
Zimmer to cut 93 local jobs
Minneapolis-based Zimmer Spine and affiliated company Indiana-based Zimmer Inc. will permanently lay off a total of 93 workers in Austin over the next several months.Medical device company Zimmer Spine announced in a statement earlier this month that it would consolidate operationsin Minneapolis and Memphis to streamline its business. Its local facility at 5301 Riata Vista […]