7 medtech stories we missed this week: Oct. 27, 2017

October 27, 2017 By Danielle Kirsh Leave a Comment

[Image from unsplash.com]

From RadiaDyne’s FDA expansion to NuVasive launching its new implants, here are seven medtech stories we missed this week but thought were still worth mentioning.

1. FDA expands indications for RadiaDyne’s OARtrac dose monitor

RadiaDyne announced in an Oct. 24 press release that it has received additional FDA clearance for its upcoming OARtrac. The OARtrac allows physicians to routinely monitor brachytherapy radiation dose as well as being able to reuse the OARtrac Plastic Scintillating Detector sensor cable no more than five times on one patient.

2. FDA clears Ortek’s electronic cavity detection system

Orktek Therapeutics has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Ortek ECD, according to an Oct. 24 press release. The ECD is a lightweight tabletop device that is used as an aid for dental professionals to diagnose and monitor dental cavities in molar and premolars. The system has been shown to detect the earliest forms of mineral loss in enamel before a cavity was able to form.

3. Michael J. Fox Foundation, Tau Consortium partner to develop imaging tools for neurodegenerative diseases

The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Tau Consortium announced their new partnership in an Oct. 24 press release. The partnership is designed to accelerate the development of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging tracers to detect alpha-synuclein and tau proteins in the brain. Detection of these proteins will help improve clinical care and speed up drug development for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, multiple system atrophy and more.

4. Varian launches HyperArc in U.S.

Varian announced in an Oct. 24 press release that it has launched its HyperArc High Definition Radiotherapy (HDRT) by treating its first five patients with the device. HyperArc is a new type of radiosurgery, according to the company, that is designed to automate and simplify treatments like stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) while making it more available to more people around the globe.

5. Alcyone gets CE Mark for Alivio ventricular cath

Alcyone Lifesciences has received CE Mark approval for its Alivio Ventricular Catheter and Flusher System that is designed to treat Hydrocephalus, according to an Oct. 24 press release. The system combats common cerebrospinal fluid shunt problems like ventricular catheter obstructions.

6. Implanet receives CE Mark for Jazz Passer spine implant

Implanet announced in an Oct. 19 press release that it has received CE Mark in Europe to market its new Jazz Passer, which also recently received FDA 510(k) clearance. The European clearance allows the company to offer its technology in Europe’s estimated $800M spinal surgery market.

7. NuVasive launches Modus titanium implant

NuVasive has launched its newest 3D printed porous titanium implant, according to an October 18 press release. The Modulus XLIF titanium implants are designed to support lateral spine procedures. The 3D printing that is used to create the implants helps make an organic, porous architecture that is similar to the porosity and stiffness of bones for reduced stress shielding.

Here’s what we missed last week.

Could this 3D bioink printer speed wound healing?
The University of Toronto is touting a new handheld 3D printer that can deposit sheets of skin to cover burn wounds and accelerate the healing process. A study, led by Richard Cheng under the supervision of Axel Guenther, published in Biofabrication revealed that the 3D printer completed successful in-vivo trials on full-thickness wounds, according to a report… […]
8 types of FDA-approved devices that treat the heart
Just starting to learn about all of the medical devices out there for treating cardiovascular diseases? The U.S. FDA has a good, basic roundup on its website of the most common types of cardiovascular devices it regulates. Here’s the list, along with the FDA’s descriptions: 1. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) “Portable and automatic, these devices… […]
Medtronic seeks to boost surgical robotics play with Digital Surgery acquisition
Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) announced today that it has acquired Digital Surgery (London), a privately-held pioneer in surgical artificial intelligence, data and analytics, and digital education and training. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Medtronic said the purchase will strengthen its robot-assisted surgical platform and its broader portfolio. The medical device giant is making a big play… […]
Solvay expands advanced materials offerings in the medtech space
Solvay, a supplier of advanced materials and specialty chemicals, announced a pair of advances that it hopes will help it expand its healthcare business. Speaking yesterday at Solvay’s booth (#2414) at MD&M West, the company’s healthcare sales development manager Rose Catherin said the new materials will help improve the performance of specialty surgical devices including… […]
11 states ask EPA to crack down on ethylene oxide emissions
Eleven state attorneys general are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to impose stricter regulations over commercial operations that emit ethylene oxide (EtO), a widely used medical device sterilant gas. The EPA, which considers EtO a carcinogen, has been fielding comments on it in light of public outcry over emissions from medtech sterilization plants during… […]
Is it possible to ‘knit’ replacement blood vessels?
A new way to replace a patient’s damaged blood vessels may be on its way, as researchers in France are figuring out a way to “knit” new vessels with a collagen-based extracellular matrix. Inserm researcher Nicolas L’Heureux and his colleagues at Inserm/Université de Bordeaux’s tissue bioengineering unit published a study in Acta Biomaterialia to outline… […]
Applied Plastics has a new website, online store
Applied Plastics (Norwood, Mass.) — maker of PTFE-coated products for advanced catheter systems — announced today that it is rebranding to improve its customer interface and support continued growth. The rebranding includes a new website, online store and refreshed brand identity. The company this week is showing off the new look and its online PTFE… […]
How to select miniature motors for surgical robotics
Surgical robotics is leveraging the same sterilizable brushless direct current (BLDC) motors already used for decades in surgical hand tools. It’s all about torque, speed and reliability — as well as sterilization requirements. Keith Halbert, Portescap Today’s surgical robotics and robotically-assisted surgical devices often require BLDC motors to meet demanding requirements. While motors and motion… […]
What is an autoclave cycle?
Keith Halbert, Portescap The most common sterilization method used in hospitals is autoclaving, also called steam sterilization. During autoclaving, surgical handtools are exposed to 100% humidity, 135ºC (275ºF) and pressure variations for up to 18 minutes. Most autoclaves also have additional vacuum cycles to facilitate steam penetration and kill viruses, fungi, bacteria, and spores that… […]
BioIntelliSense wins FDA nod for BioSticker continuous vital sign monitor
BioIntelliSense announced that it won FDA 510(k) clearance for its BioSticker on-body sensor for scalable remote care and initiated the U.S. commercial launch of the product last week. The BioSticker is designed to allow for continuous monitoring of vital signs and actionable insights to provide opportunities for early detection of potentially avoidable complications from a home… […]
Accu-Tube acquires Mercury Tube
Stainless steel tubing outfit Accu-Tube announced today that it has acquired Mercury Tube, another metal tube manufacturer in its home base of Englewood, Colo. Mercury Tube, which makes high-precision stainless steel and high nickel alloy tubing, will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Accu-Tube. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Get the full… […]