7 medtech stories we missed this week: July 14, 2017

July 14, 2017 By Danielle Kirsh Leave a Comment

[Image from unsplash.com]

From Novarad touting its VR-surgical guidance system to Zynex paying off its $2.2M loan, here are seven medtech stories we missed this week but thought were still worth mentioning.

1. Stimwave announces first patient in Brazil

Stimwave announced in a July 5 press release that its first patients in Brazil have received Stimwave’s wireless pain relief device treatment for chronic pain. The patients are expected to receive the neuromodulation treatment as an alternative to opioid pain relief. The devices created by Stimwave deliver small pulses of energy to specific nerves to trigger a reaction that allows the brain to remap pain.

2. Nemaura touts uplisting to OTCQB

Nemaura Medical recently uplifted to the OTC Quote Board Venture Market trading platform, according to a July 10 press release. The company’s focus is on developing and commercializing a wireless disposable adhesive skin patch, known as the sugarBEAT, that is designed to be used by diabetics as a non-invasive continuous glucose monitor.

3. MedShape launches DynaFrame CF deployment system

MedShape announced in a July 11 press release that it has launched its DynaFrame CF Deployment system for implanting the company’s DynaNail TTC Fusion System in tibiotalocalcaneal fusion surgery. The deployment system is made out of carbon-fiber filled polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The launch of the new system also included new DynaNail instrument sets. MedShape’s DynaFrame CF Deployment System has 18 times more rigidity than the system’s original PEEK material. It also has several geometry changes to add more clearance to the distal end of the DynaFrame and its posterior-anterior targeting arm for larger patient anatomies. The changes to the system help reduce issues with drill targeting so that procedures are faster and simpler.

4. Novarad touts first use of VR-surgical guidance system

Novarad’s OpenSight augmented reality system was used in its first known surgery with Microsoft’s HoloLens, according to a July 11 press release. OpenSight was created to render patient studies into 3D. Those images become interactive and can be directly overlaid directly onto the patient’s body. The procedure that was completed with this technology was an automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy that alleviates back and leg pain that comes with disk herniation. When using the HoloLens with OpenSight, the wearer sees the patient while also being able to see through the patent with dynamic holograms of their internal anatomy.

5. Owlstone initiates breath-based cancer biomarker trial

Owlstone Medical announced in a July 10 press release that it has started its PAN cancer trial for early detection of cancer in patient’s breath. The clinical trial plans to evaluate Owlstone Medical’s Breath Biopsy platform for detecting multiple types of cancer early. A team of cancer researchers at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Center, the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are conducting the study. The trial intends to test the breath biopsy device for the early detection of blaster, breast, head and neck, kidney, esophageal, pancreatic and prostate cancers as well as brain tumors.

6. Tactical Medical inks deal with Red Cross

Tactical Medical and the American Red Cross entered a brand licensing partnership for the SOF Tactical Tourniquet Wide, according to a July 10 press release. The partnership extends over multiple years and will deliver the tourniquet on the market to the leading provider of first aid training in the U.S.

7. Zynex clears loan balance

Zynex announced in a July 6 press release that it has paid off its remaining loan balance to Triumph Healthcare Finance. The company originally owed Triumph $2.2M at the end of the first quarter and was able to pay off the loan in its entirety by the second quarter.

Here’s what we missed last week.

Health Canada implements electronic medical device clinical trial data submission
By Stewart Eisenhart, Emergo Group Health Canada, Canada’s medical device market regulator, has begun accepting some clinical trial-related information from sponsors via electronic submissions. Get the full story here at the Emergo Group’s blog. The opinions expressed in this blog post are the author’s only and do not necessarily reflect those of MedicalDesignandOutsourcing.com or its… […]
This company’s medical containment system played a role in a coronavirus evacuation
The Containerized Bio-Containment System (CBCS), developed by Kansas City-based MRIGlobal, is a first-of-its-kind, flyable medical transport unit and features full biocontainment. This past week, the CBCS was brought into the ongoing worldwide coronavirus outbreak. Get the full story on our WTWH Media sister site R&D World. The post This company’s medical containment system played a […]
Zeiss expands its portfolio of microscope cameras
Zeiss recently announced that it has added four new CMOS cameras for digital imaging in light microscopy. These cameras are part of the Oberkochen, Germany-based company’s Axiocam series. The Axiocam 705 color and 712 color are designed to deliver the best possible image quality for histology, pathology or material research and analysis, thanks to excellent… […]
FDA recommends limiting use of power morcellators
The FDA today recommended that laparoscopic power morcellators, which have been implicated in the spread of cancer, be limited to use with certain tissue containment systems and only in premenopausal women under 50 years of age. Power morcellators were used for 20 years to laparoscopically remove benign tumors of the uterus, known as fibroids, by… […]
Abilitech aims to arm people with independence
Some have dubbed Abilitech’s device “a wheelchair for the arms.” Its machined aluminum exoskeletal arm and breathable cloth vest use a spring counterbalance system and a “living hinge” that spreads the load, making it — and the arm — feel weightless. Nancy Crotti, Managing Editor Rob Wudlick brushed his teeth on his own recently for… […]
RJG Germany opens injection molding training facility
RJG Germany (Karlstein) recently opened a new training lab for injection molding. The facility consists of a classroom that seats up to 20 students and a fully equipped lab for hands-on experience. The technical center currently consists of a 60-ton injection molding machine from Yizumi Germany, temperature control units and a material drying system from… […]
Instron debuts two new universal testing systems
Instron (Norwood, Mass.) announced today that it is introducing a new generation of universal testing systems. The 3400 and 6800 Series are successors to the company’s 3300 and 5900 Series systems and are available in single- and dual-column models with capacities ranging from 500 N to 50 kN. Instron said it has added features and… […]
Medical tubing market to be worth $12 billion in 2025
The medical tubing market is expected to be worth $11.9 billion by 2025, according to an analysis from Grand View Research. Grand View Research suggests the industry will expand at a revenue-based consumer annual growth rate of 9.2% over the next five years. Increased health expenditures from individuals and increased emphasis on healthcare by the […]
How diaphragm pumps can work for sensitive devices
Diaphragm pumps work like bicycle pumps, with one intake and one output cycle per revolution of the drive motor, which produces an inherently pulsatile flow. Dynaflo developed one for the U.S. military that virtually eliminates this effect. Lorenzo Majno, Dynaflo Diaphragm pumps offer a number of features that could be valuable to designers of products… […]
MTD Micro Molding late president to be inducted into Plastics Hall of Fame
MTD Micro Molding this week announced that its late president, Dennis Tully, will be inducted into the Plastics Academy’s Plastics Hall of Fame. Tully is one of this year’s six posthumous inductees, who are elected by living members of the Hall of Fame following a screening process. “These new posthumous inductees proudly represent the length… […]
This neural implant can be both remotely charged and programmed
Engineers at Rice University’s Brown School of Engineering are touting the first neural implant capable of being programmed and charged remotely with a magnetic field. Kaiyuan Yang, Jacob Robinson, Zhanghao Yu and Joshua Chen collaborated to develop the integrated MagNI (magnetoelectric neural implant) microsystem, which could allow imbedded devices such as a spinal cord stimulator… […]