7 medtech stories we missed this week: April 6, 2018

From CHF Solutions’s distribution deal to Guided Therapeutics’s licensing agreement, here are seven medtech stories we missed this week but throught were still worth mentioning.

1. CHF inks Spanish distribution deal

CHF Solutions announced in an April 5 press release that it has signed a distribution agreement with Dimedix Surgical. The distribution agreement will allow Dimedix Surgical to distribute the CHF’s Aquadex FlexFlow System throughout Spain. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

2. J&J launches digital surgical training subscription service

J&J has launched a new digital learning platform that gives hospitals and surgeons the ability to assess and enhance technical skills in robotics, laparoscopic and open surgery to improve outcomes and reduce costs, according to an April 5 press release. The platform, known as C-SATS, was created by a team of surgeons, engineers and biostatisticians at the University of Washington and is subscription-based. Surgeons can upload surgical videos to be assessed by expert surgeons and trained reviewers who can give feedback based on technical skills. The skill levels can then be tracked over time.

3. Nanovibronix inks Canadian distribution deal for UroShield

Nanovibronix announced in an April 5 press release that it has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Instrumed Surgical to distribute its UroShield products in Canada. UroShield uses ultrasound to prevent bacterial colonization and biofilm on indwelling urinary catheters while also increasing antibiotic efficiency. The device is designed to reduce the amount of catheter-associated urinary tract infections and decrease pain and discomfort associated with urinary catheter use.

4. FDA expands indication for Asahi Intecc’s Corsair microcaths and coronary guidewires

The FDA has recently expanded indication for Asahi Intecc’s Corsair, Corsair Pro Microcatheters and coronary guide wires, according to a March 28 press release. The new indication includes the company’s Miraclebros series, Confianza series, Fielder series and Gaia series. Asahi Intecc’s devices are designed to treat chronic total occlusion in a minimally-invasive way.

5. Biotronik to distribute Aziyo’s CanGaroo CRM implant envelopes

Biotronik announced in an April 3 press release that it has become the distributor of Aziyo’s CanGaroo extracellular matrix (ECM) cardiovascular implantable electronic device envelopes in the U.S. The BioEnvelope will be available through Biotronik starting in April. BioEnvelope is designed to reduce scar formation and reduce the risk of device migration and erosion. It features a unique ECM material that is a flexible bioscaffold that remodels in three to six months while allowed the body to regrow and restore functional, vascularized tissue naturally.

6. HyperMed wins CE Mark for HyperView imager

HyperMed has received CE Mark approval for its HyperView medical imaging system, according to an April 2 press release. The approval allows the company to distribute its system in Europe. The HyperView System is a fast, handheld, battery operated, non-invasive and portable diagnostic imaging device that is used to identify tissue oxygenation without coming in contact with a patient. Its technology captures a diagnostic image that shows oxyhemoglobin levels, deoxyhemoglobin levels and oxygen saturation in superficial tissue.

7. Guided Therapeutics inks Turkish licensing deal

Guided Therapeutics announced in an April 2 press release that it has signed a Turkish license agreement with ITEM to manufacture its single-patient-use Cervical Guides in Turkey. The agreement gives Guided Therapeutics fees totaling $1.1 million throughout 2018, with the first payment due before April 15. ITEM will pay a royalty for each Cervical Guide it makes and sells in Turkey and will be obligated to buy 540 LuViva Advanced Cervical Scans and make 3,450,000 Cervical Guides in the Turkish market over the next 12 years.