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SmartTRAK Life Sciences News and Analysis Blog

Elise Wolf

Elise Wolf has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Bioengineering from Northwestern University and the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation, Elise designed biologically-inspired autonomous robots for the Department of Defense at K2T, a spin-off of Carnegie Mellon University. She also has 15+ years of experience in the medical device industry in product development, marketing and business development in emerging medical device technologies and orthopedics prior to joining BioMedGPS. Elise has worked for BioMedGPS since 2010 as an Analyst covering Orthopedics and is currently the General Manager of SmartTRAK’s Computer-Assisted Surgery business.

Recent Posts

2 min read

Spine Market Shake-Up: Trends, Drivers and What’s Next

By Elise Wolf on 3/18/25 9:30 AM

SmartTRAK delves into recent spinal implant divestitures.

The global Spinal Implant Market has seen an increasing number of divestitures in recent years. Large strategics are streamlining their portfolios, while private equity firms and specialized manufacturers are capitalizing on the opportunity to acquire divested assets. In this article, SmartTRAK explores the key drivers behind these divestitures, notable transactions and the broader implications for the industry, including:

  • Recent Divestitures from Key Players
    • In January, Stryker (SYK) announced a definitive agreement to sell its US spinal implants business to the Viscogliosi Brothers (VB), a New York-based investment firm focused on neuro and musculoskeletal technologies. VB Spine is set to become ... (read more)
  • Why the Shake-ups? 
    • The Spine Hardware Market is characterized as a very SKU-heavy business with little differentiation among implants, making it expensive and requiring savvy and specialized operations to ensure profitability. Market-leading strategics, Medtronic (MDT) and Globus (GMED) are acquiring ... (read more)
  • Focus on Interventional Market
    • With ZBH and SYK exiting the spinal fusion space altogether, other companies are targeting adjacent high-growth markets, where there is a much larger population of chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients to treat in lieu of fusion. Post divestiture, SYK will retain ... (read more)
  • Continued Evolution Expected
    • Consolidation and specialization in the Spine Market could lead to improved product quality, better integration of new technologies and enhanced patient outcomes. SmartTRAK expects the Spine Market 
      will ...(read more)

Curious about the latest transactions and trends in the Spine Market and the broader implications for the industry? Click the button below to download the complete market outlook article, "Spine Market Shake-Up: Trends, Drivers and What’s Next" by Elise Wolf, SmartTRAK VP& GM, Orthopedics & Quality.Get the Article


SmartTRAK is the Medtech industry’s only global Insights-as-a-Service solution for the Orthopedics, Wound Care, Regenerative Medicine and Neuro Therapy markets. SmartTRAK’s propriety methodology turns disparate data from hundreds of sources into powerful insights customers can rely on as the trusted source for strategic decision-making. The SmartTRAK enterprise platform includes rich daily updates, comprehensive market coverage and simple-to-use tools and dashboards for market, product and financial analysis. Customers leveraging the SmartTRAK platform also have direct access to market experts for inquiries and advisory services. If you would like a demo of what SmartTRAK has to offer and see how we can help increase proficiency, improve productivity and reduce costs for your company, just click here.
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3 min read

NASS 2024: Enabling Tech Still Making Waves

By Elise Wolf on 10/29/24 9:30 AM

Technological advances, new market entrants and novel technology continue to make waves at NASS 2024.

SmartTRAK attended this year’s 39th Annual North American Spine Society (NASS) meeting in Chicago, IL, which took place September 25-28, 2024. With the attendance of industry professionals rivaling that of surgeons at this year’s meeting, enabling technology continued to make waves on the exhibit floor yet again. The ongoing focus on enabling tech is not surprising given that robotics and navigation platforms have continued to support Spine Hardware Market growth in recent years. To date in 2024, SmartTRAK estimates that the Enabling Tech Market for Robotics and Navigation has increased at near double-digits (+9.6% growth) YoY through Q224, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard

Among the many topics discussed in this article are:

  • Robot Wars Heating Up in Spine
    • Robotics were on display from market leaders Medtronic (MDT) and Globus Medical (GMED) at NASS 2024. MDT announced new advancements in its AiBLE ecosystem including ... (read more)
  • Augmented/Mixed Reality on Display
    • Augmented reality-based navigation solutions were also showcased at the meeting. At NASS 2024, SmartTRAK learned that the Augmedics xvision augmented-reality based intraoperative navigation system has been used to treat ... (read more)
  • Novel Handheld Navigation Designed to Overcome Challenges
    • In a NASS 2024 Symposium entitled “The Symbiosis of Robotics, Enabling Technology and Minimally Invasive Surgery,” panelists mentioned that one limitation of many robotic and navigation systems is ... (read more)
  • Ongoing Technological Advances
    • With increasing adoption of enabling technologies and a growing level of experience in using them in spine procedures comes a better understanding of the advantages and limitations of current assistive technology solutions. Companies across the industry from large strategics to small start-ups are continuing to make ... (read more)

Click the button below to download and read the complete "NASS 2024: Enabling Tech Still Making Waves" market perspective article by Elise Wolf, GM & VP, SmartTRAK Orthopedics & Quality.

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3 min read

Orthopedic Enabling Tech Trends at AAOS and Beyond

By Elise Wolf on 6/4/24 9:45 AM

SmartTRAK highlights four key trends to watch in orthopedic enabling tech displayed at the 2024 AAOS and Canaccord Genuity Musculoskeletal Conferences.

Enabling technology was a hot topic of discussion at the 2024 Canaccord Genuity (CG) Musculoskeletal Conference and was a big focus at this year’s American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting in San Francisco, California.   SmartTRAK  highlights four key trends noted at the meetings and expected through 2024 and beyond in orthopedic enabling tech and reports on key news from 17 companies in this space, ranging from multinational strategics to start-ups.
 

SmartTRAK's four key trends to watch in orthopedic enabling tech, which are discussed in detail in this downloadable Market Outlook article, are: 

    • Continued Growth in Ortho Robotics 
      • Similar to the last several years, robotics continued to be a large focus of orthopedic enabling tech at this year’s meetings, with SmartTRAK projecting ... (read more)
    • Navigation Targeted to ASC
      • Newer navigation technologies are overcoming the hurdles of traditional navigation systems and are making headway into the ASCs with designs targeted specifically to ... (read more)
    • Augmented Reality Gaining Traction
      • Intraoperative augmented reality continued to be an area of interest at the AAOS and Canaccord meetings this year, and SmartTRAK noted an ever-expanding number of ... (read more)
    • Advances in Smart Implants
      • Smart implants will continue to advance in 2024 as companies launch new products and work toward expanded applications. In addition to next-generation knee robotics and partial cementless knees ... (read more).
Click the button below to download and read the complete "Orthopedic Enabling Tech Trends at AAOS and Beyond" Market Outlook article by Elise Wolf, GM & VP, SmartTRAK Orthopedics, Digital & Quality. Read the Article
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8 min read

SmartTRAK Insights from the 2024 AAOS/CG Musculoskeletal Conferences

By Elise Wolf on 3/15/24 9:30 AM

SmartTRAK experts across orthopedics, sports medicine, spine and enabling technology attended this year’s 2024 Canaccord Genuity Musculoskeletal and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual conferences. Held from February 12-15 in San Francisco, CA, these gatherings brought together the top minds in the industry. In this post, we share some key insights and updates gleaned from these conferences, offering a glimpse into the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of orthopedic and musculoskeletal care.

  • MARKET

Maxx Orthopedics*
SmartTRAK
learned at AAOS 2024 that Maxx Medical is going on the offensive to grow its joint replacement business in the US and that the Company plans to launch new hip and knee products in 2024.

Paragon 28*
At AAOS 2024, Paragon 28 noted that its supply chain issues have resolved and does not expect a headwind this year. As a result, Needham believes the company can return to ~20% revenue growth in 2024.

restor3d*
Restor3d reported it currently has 157 active distribution partners calling on ~22,965 orthopedic surgeons and ~18,000 podiatrists. Management noted surgeons will bring difficult cases and from there restor3d can create additional sales opportunities. CG 2024 Musculoskeletal Conference

  • REVENUES

BONESUPPORT*
BONESUPPORT highlighted the continued strength of Cerament G in North America with approximate revenues of $17.0MM in Q323 since launching in June 2023. CG 2024 Musculoskeletal Conference

OrthAlign*
At AAOS 2024, SmartTRAK learned that OrthAlign’s 2023 revenue was up +25% to $51MM, led by strong adoption of its Lantern next-generation handheld navigation system and increasing use of the Balance gap balancing feature on Lantern Knee. The company noted +37% growth in the ASC setting.

Find out how to receive SmartTRAK Daily Updates in your morning email

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2 min read

Mergers & Acquisitions: Q123 Spine Enabling Tech Market Recap

By Elise Wolf on 7/7/23 10:24 AM

In addition to product innovation and increasing adoption, the Spine Enabling Technology market is rapidly evolving due to mergers and acquisitions.

The Q123 WW Spine Enabling Tech Market was up +12.6% YoY, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. Medtronic (MDT) remained the market leader with 54.9% share, followed by Globus Medical (GMED) and other enabling tech competitors like Brainlab and Stryker (SYK). For detailed Q123 revenues and shares by company in the US, EU and ROW, see SmartTRAK Spine Enabling Tech Financial Dashboard*.

Among the many topics covered in detail in SmartTRAK's comprehensive Q123 US Spine Enabling Technology Market Recap* are:

  • Complete Q123 Spine Enabling Tech Market Overview
  • SmartTRAK's Expert Market Analysis and Insights
  • All Companies' News, Revenues, Data, Charts and Market Shares
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Changing the Spine Enabling Technology Landscape
  • New Spine Robots on the Horizon
  • Milestones in Augmented Reality
  • Q123 Regulatory Highlights

In February 2023, GMED announced it entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock transaction with NuVasive (NUVA). The transaction is expected to close mid-2023 subject to shareholder and regulatory agency approvals, which will make the combined company the ...

Read the entire Q123 Spine Enabling Tech Market Recap, including SmartTRAK's expert analysis, news, data, charts, revenues and shares*

*These links and the complete unedited article can only be viewed by SmartTRAK subscribers to this module. For more information on SmartTRAK, including how to receive a demo and subscribe, please click the button below. Learn More about Subscribing to SmartTRAK

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2 min read

Beyond Robotics: Enabling Tech Innovations at AAOS 2023

By Elise Wolf on 5/19/23 9:30 AM

More than just robots. Targeting enabling technologies to the ASC setting, development of novel assistive technologies, next-generation software updates, new applications and data insights abound at AAOS 2023.

In the US Markets for Spine and Orthopedic Enabling Technologies, it’s clear that companies are rapidly innovating and designing next-generation technologies that continue to advance the market well beyond the robotic surgical arms and platforms developed in the last decade. At this year’s American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Annual Meeting, enabling technology was a big focus both on the podium and the exhibit floor. The Canaccord Genuity (CG) Musculoskeletal Conference also included a number of presentations from companies with innovative enabling technologies, including Enovis, OnPoint Surgical, THINK Surgical, OrthAlign, Augmedics, Canary Medical and newcomer Caira. Additionally, several companies on the AAOS exhibit floor were showcasing new developments across surgical planning, navigation, augmented reality, robotics and smart implants. In this Perspective article, SmartTRAK focuses in on several of the aforementioned companies, exciting technologies and important topics, including:

  • These Are Not Your Father’s Robots: They're Here to Stay
  • ASC Shift Driving Smaller, More Cost-Effective Solutions
  • Dream Becoming Reality: Augmented Reality Competition Heats Up
  • More Than Just Data: Smart Implants Show Promise in Improving Post-op Recovery
  • Enabling Technology Space Continues to Grow
  • Physician Adoption

With a lot of new developments expected later this year and over the next 24-48 months, the enabling technology space continues to grow and physician adoption is ...

To download and read the complete and unedited "Beyond Robotics: Enabling Tech Innovations at AAOS 2023" article by Elise Wolf, GM & VP, SmartTRAK Orthopedics, Digital & Quality, just click the button below. Download the Beyond Robotics Article

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2 min read

A Banner Year: Q422 Ortho Enabling Tech Market Recap

By Elise Wolf on 5/4/23 9:45 AM

Q422 was a banner quarter for ortho enabling tech installations, technological advances and expanding applications on the horizon.

The Q422 WW Ortho Enabling Tech Market was down -7.2% YoY, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard . Stryker (SYK) remained the market leader with 65.1% share, followed by Smith+Nephew (SNN), Zimmer Biomet (ZBH) and DePuy Synthes (JNJ). For detailed Q422 revenues and shares by company in the US, EU and ROW, see the SmartTRAK Ortho Enabling Tech Financial Dashboard .*
 
Among the many topics explored in detail in this comprehensive article are:
  • Strong Robotic Performance Despite Lackluster Revenue from Changing Deal Mix
  • Expanding Robotic Applications Contribute to Growth
  • Other Orthopedic Robotics Moving Forward
  • Orthopedic Enabling Tech Making Inroads into Spine and Vice Versa
  • Navigation Highlights
  • Advances in Augmented Reality
  • Preoperative Planning Highlights

Orthopedic robotics market leader SYK reported that Q422 was a record quarter for MAKO installations, both in the US and internationally, with an unsurpassed number of MAKO installations in ASCs. In Q422, SYK saw ...

Read the entire Q422 Ortho Enabling Tech Market Recap, including SmartTRAK's expert analysis, news, data, charts, revenues and shares.*

*These links and the complete unedited article can only be viewed by SmartTRAK subscribers to this module. For more information on SmartTRAK, including how to receive a demo and subscribe, please click the button below.

Learn More about Subscribing to SmartTRAK

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2 min read

Key Trends in Enabling Technology for Spine: NASS 2022

By Elise Wolf on 11/28/22 10:18 AM

For the first time in recent years, robotics was not a main headline in the academic program at NASS 2022, but SmartTRAK notes that the exhibit floor was buzzing with exciting new developments in enabling technology.

Although there were limited program sessions focused solely on enabling technology at NASS 2022, the floor was abuzz with digital solutions, including recently launched and upcoming products. Based on conversations with NASS exhibitors, SmartTRAK identified key trends in the market for spine enabling technology including new spine robotic systems, augmented reality (AR) platforms and compact navigation solutions, as well as advances in surgical planning and unveiling of digital ecosystems. These innovations will help drive double-digit growth in the US market for Spine Enabling Technologies.

Among the many topics covered in detail in the complete article, which can be downloaded here, are:

  • Beyond Robotics: Leveraging Data and Ecosystems
  • Battle Bots: New Spine Robots on Display
  • Augmented Reality Positioned to Target ASCs
  • Small-Footprint Platforms and Disposable Spinal Navigation
  • Problem-Solving Differentiated Technology
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9 min read

What's New in the Computer Assisted Spine Market: SmartTRAK at NASS 2022

By Elise Wolf on 10/7/22 2:35 PM

Spine enabling tech companies continue to report positive momentum moving into H222 despite limited hospital budgets, chip shortages and continued staffing issues. The North American Spine Society (NASS) 2022 annual meeting next week is sure to provide a preview of what is coming next for both spine robotics from players like Medtronic and Globus, as well as surgical guidance solution providers such as NuVasive and SeaSpine. We are also looking forward to new enabling tech solutions to be launched at the meeting.

Our spine experts will be roaming the floor, bringing our subscribers real-time news direct from the show. We'll also be on the show floor at booth #2341, ready to answer your questions, share insights on the latest in the CAS Spine Market and discuss how SmartTRAK can help you Be the Expert in your market.

To make sure you’re up to speed before the meeting, here is a sample of recent CAS Spine news collected and curated by the expert analysts at SmartTRAK. If you would like to book a meeting with us at NASS, please click the button below. Schedule a MeetingNew Products:

  • Stryker*

    SYK announced the launch of its Q Guidance System for spine applications, which includes surgical planning and intra-op guidance for spine procedures in patients age 13 and older.

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2 min read

Swings in Robotic Performance: Q222 CAS Spine Market Recap

By Elise Wolf on 9/28/22 9:30 AM

A market fraught with challenging hospital budgets, chip shortages and continued staffing issues results in apparent swings in robotic performance. On the other hand, enabling tech platforms companies continue to report positive momentum moving into H222.

The Q222 WW CAS Spine Market was down YoY according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. Medtronic* (MDT) remained the market leader, followed by Globus* (GMED) and other enabling tech competitors including Stryker* (SYK) and Brainlab*. For detailed Q222 revenues and shares by company in the US, EU and ROW, see SmartTRAK CAS Spine Financial Dashboard*.

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q222 Computer Assisted Surgery Spine Market Recap* are:

  • Complete Q222 CAS Spine Market Overview and Highlights
  • SmartTRAK's Expert Analysis and Insights
  • All Company News including Revenues, Data, Charts and Shares
  • Variable Robotics Performance in a Difficult Climate
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