Researchers from the University of Helsinki have developed a technique to make orthopedic scaffolds using nanofibers and thin-film biomaterials to help bones regrow and implants settle into the body. The team of chemists used electrospun hydoxyapatite to make the nanofibers. Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral form of calcium apatite, found in bones and teeth. […]
Implants
InVivo adds patient to regenerative spinal scaffold trial
InVivo Therapeutics (NSDQ:NVIV) said today that it enrolled a new patient in the Inspire study of its neuro-spinal scaffold. Principal investigator Dr. Travis Dumont performed the implantation earlier this week, 67 hours after the patient’s spinal cord injury happened. “The implantation procedure of the neuro-spinal scaffold was successful, and the patient is doing well,” Dumont said […]
Coorstek claims win in ceramic hip dispute
A federal judge in Colorado ruled earlier this month that Ceramtec cannot trademark its ceramic hip implants’ pink color, after the company wrote a cease and desist letter to Coorstek Medical in 2014 over its competing CeraSurf device. Forth Worth, Texas-based Coorstek’s CeraSurf device is made with ceramic material that uses chromium oxide, which provides hardness […]
Braeburn sets terms for $150m IPO
Braeburn Pharmaceuticals said today that it plans to raise $150 million by offering 7,692,308 shares of its common stock. The Princeton, N.J.-based company wrote in regulatory filings that it expects the initial public offering price for its stock to be between $18.00 and $21.00 apiece. Apple Tree Partners has indicated an interest in buying $50 million of shares […]
VisionCare launches new clinical trial for telescope implant
VisionCare, Inc. said this week that the FDA approved its investigational device exemption for a new clinical trial in the U.S. evaluating its telescope implant in patients with end-stage macular degeneration. The Saratoga, Calif.-based company’s implantable miniature telescope, which was developed by Israeli inventor Dr. Isaac Lipshitz, is contraindicated for patients with previous intraocular or […]
Intersect ENT shares jump on Q4 prelims
Intersect ENT (NSDQ:XENT) shares jumped yesterday 11% to reach a peak of $13.20 apiece after the company released its preliminary financial results for the 4th quarter, narrowly beating analysts’ expectations on Wall Street. The Menlo Park, Calif.-based company said it expects a total revenue of $24.o – $24.2 million for Q4, slightly ahead of the […]
Boston Sci giving lift to new erectile dysfunction device
Want to put some lead in your pencil? Try nitinol instead. The wonder metal—a nickel-titanium alloy with heat-activated shape memory—has proved essential for Wisconsin and Illinois researchers building what British tabloids are calling a “bionic penis.” Chuckles aside, the proposed implant has enough potential advantages over existing erectile dysfunction treatment implants that Boston Scientific officials […]
AirXpander’s AeroForm tissue expander transforms decades-old procedure
For 40 years, plastic surgeons have used saline injections to expand tissue and prepare patients for breast implants following mastectomies. These tissue expanders consist of a silicone shell with a magnet and a self-sealing port; a doctor uses a different magnet above the skin to access the port and inject saline to stretch the skin. The […]
Scientists develop silver-releasing scaffold to prevent MRSA infection in bone
Researchers have developed a biocompatible, silver-releasing scaffold that inhibits methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, infection in bone. The team’s work was published in Tissue Engineering. The antimicrobial properties of silver ions and the biodegradable scaffold seeded with bone-forming stem cells could be used to coat implants and prevent bone infection, the team suggested in the study. Get the […]
Braeburn Pharmaceuticals files plans for $150m IPO
Braeburn Pharmaceuticals filed plans for a $150 million initial public offering last week with the Securities & Exchange Commission, leaving out any specific pricing details. The Princeton, N.J.-based company plans to list its shares on the Nasdaq market under the symbol “BBRX”. JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch and Deustche Bank are underwriters for the offering and Apple Tree […]
Presbia announces 2-year Microlens data from PMA trial
Presbia (NSDQ:LENS) touted interim data today from its U.S. pivotal clinical trial, which it hopes will eventually support pre-market approval from the FDA for its Flexivue Microlens. The company is 2 years into the 3-year long trial and said that it anticipates submitting final data to the FDA in September 2017. The company’s lens is intended to […]