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

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.