Syndicom

Recently Jane Sarasohn-Kahn over at HealthPopuli posted a blog about a new report on the Medical Device Industry by Ernst and Young, entitled Pulse of the industry: US medical technology report 2008.

The report argues that while the medical technology sector is one of the most innovative within the US economy, it too could suffer at the hands of the current economic volatility. There are over 300 companies working within this sector, with over half of them working on therapeutic devices and accounting for 57% of industry revenues. Driven by an aging population, a decrease in public equity and an expanding list of chronic conditions, the industry has worked hard to shorten its innovation cycles. This week, three Spine Device companies announced their unveilings of new products at the NASS conference - Alphatec Spine, Orthofix International and US Spine.

First, Alphatec Spine will begin training European surgeons on the use of the OsseoFix system during the North American Spine Surgery (NASS) Meeting and are also conducting a 30-patient clinical study in Germany. In addition, Alphatec will launch its “Solutions for the Aging Spine” and nine new products at NASS as it moves to achieving its goal of providing new solutions for patients with osteoporosis and other aging spine deformities, improved minimally invasive products and techniques and integrated biologics solutions.

Orthofix International also announced this week that they will be highlighting their Firebird(TM) Spinal Fixation System and PILLAR(TM) SA interbody device at NASS along with other new devices also planned for launch during 2009. Orthofix offers a broad line of minimally invasive surgical, and non-surgical, products for the spine, orthopedic, and sports medicine market sectors that address the lifelong bone-and-joint health needs of patients of all ages–helping them achieve a more active and mobile lifestyle.

Finally, US Spine^® announced that the FDA has cleared its Preference 2 Complex Spine System™ for use in the United States. Desiring a low-profile, flexible and powerful device, leading spine surgeons with pediatric and adult deformity specializations developed the system for complex spinal disorders.The system will be on display at NASS alongside the company’s Facet Gun and a preview of its Percutaneous Facet Fixation System. Developments such as these highlight US Spine’s efforts to focus on motion and tissue preservation through the use of advanced biomaterials and expert surgeon designers.

Keep coming back as we gather more news of the new at NASS!

Many thanks to Nidhii for the picture!

Good things happen when we connect!

Kirsten Broadfoot

Tags: Alphatec Spine, Firebird Spinal Fixation System, instruments, medical device industry, NASS, new technology, Orthofix, Osseofix, Pillar SA Interbody, Preference 2 Complex Spine System, spinal devices, US Spine

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 16th, 2008 at 5:29 am and is filed under Blog.