In this article, SmartTRAK reviews the development of AI in healthcare and profiles four companies implementing AI-driven imaging in these spaces.

The US Orthopedic Computer-Assisted Surgery (CAS) Market is one of the fastest-growing markets in orthopedics and is expected to reach revenues of $1.14B by 2025, according to SmartTRAK estimates. The Orthopedic CAS market includes a range of enabling technologies including robotic platforms, navigation systems, surgical planning tools, augmented/virtual reality technology and artificial intelligence (AI). AI is being increasingly incorporated into diagnostics and planning to assist in optimization of surgical decision making and anomaly detection.
 
The prominence of AI and machine learning technologies in medicine has snowballed over the past decade. Diagnostic Imaging and navigation is experiencing a new paradigm of technology through the emergence of AI-driven 3D reconstruction, segmentation and navigation applications. Two areas seeing quick implementation and adoption of these new systems are orthopedic planning/navigation and neurovascular diagnostics. In this article, SmartTRAK reviews the development of AI in healthcare and profiles four companies implementing AI-driven imaging in these spaces.

Abbott’s Allen Burton, MD discusses the Company’s new MRI labeling, expanded payer coverage for DRG, big data and digital initiatives in an interview with SmartTRAK at NANS 2022

Allen Burton, MD, Abbott Divisional Vice President, Medical Director Neuromodulation, discusses Abbott’s latest research and innovation in an interview with SmartTRAK at the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) Annual Meeting held January 13-14, 2022.

To find out more, including about the Company’s new MRI labeling, UnitedHealthCare coverage for DRG, big data and the status of Abbott’s digital initiatives, click on the video below to listen to the interview recorded live at NANS 2022. (30:18 min.) A link to download a complete transcript of the interview is also provided below.

Medtronic Neuromodulation executives Dave Anderson and Charlie Covert discuss the Company and the future of neuromodulation in an interview with SmartTRAK at NANS 2022

Dave Anderson, Medtronic’s President Neuromodulation, and Charlie Covert, Vice President and General Manager of Pain Therapies, discuss the Company, pandemic and the future of neuromodulation in a wide-ranging interview with SmartTRAK at the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) 25^th Annual Meeting held January 12-15, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.

To find out more about the Company’s newest innovations, expanding indications*, clinical research and strategies for driving growth in spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS), click on the following video recorded live at NANS 2022. (33:45 minutes.) Specific interview topics by time code are also outlined below. To download a complete transcript of the interview, click here.

D. Keith Grossman, chairman, CEO and president of Nevro Corporation, discusses the Company, expanding indications and driving growth through innovation and evidence in an interview with SmartTRAK

Nevro’s Keith Grossman expects randomized controlled trials and recent FDA approvals for expanded indications--painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) and non-surgical refractory back pain (NSRBP)--to provide a competitive edge and help drive growth in the market for spinal cord stimulation (SCS). To find out more, including Grossman’s take on Medtronic’s recent FDA approval for the diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) indication, click on the following video recorded live* via Google Meet (40:20 min). Specific interview topics by time code are also outlined below. If you would like to download a complete transcript of the interview, please click here.

SmartTRAK highlights current and emerging trends in hernia outcomes research presented at the European Hernia Society – Americas Hernia Society Joint Congress held in Copenhagen.

by Doug Devens - Sr Analyst, Biosurgery, IT Product Director

Changes in hernia regulations and evolving views on how to study the performance of hernia matrices have fueled a growing interest among hernia researchers in using different methods and data sources to measure outcomes associated with these devices. In this article, SmartTRAK highlights current and emerging trends in hernia outcomes research presented at the European Hernia Society – Americas Hernia Society Joint Congress (Hernia2021), in Copenhagen, including the increasing use of registries and their relative advantages and disadvantages compared to the gold standard randomized controlled trial (RCT). ­

As the world slowly adapts to the "new normal",  SmartTRAK continues to report daily on the challenges still ahead, covering all aspects of the Orthopedic market: Extremities, OrthoBio, Spine, Computer Assisted Surgery, Total Joints, Trauma, Soft Tissue Fixation and EU Extremities and Trauma. And, if you are going to Chicago for the big Orthopedics conference in March, visit us at Booth #4350 or you can schedule a meeting with us...just click here.

SmartTRAK features curated content by our team of industry experts, bringing the most relevant information and insight directly to you in real time. Learn about the latest news, emerging technologies or start-ups to watch, conference happenings and more via articles, videos and interviews.

The following is just a small sampling of recent Orthopedic updates from around the world compiled, reviewed and posted daily by our SmartTRAK analysts.

New Products:

• Journey ll* - Smith+Nephew*
  

  Smith+Nephew announced the first completed surgery using its JOURNEY II Medial Dished (MD) System for total knee arthroplasty. The procedure was performed by Dr. Ran Schwarzkopf, Orthopedic Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction at NYU Langone Health.

• Zimmer Biomet*  
  

  Zimmer Biomet is anticipating the launch of Persona* cementless knees later in 2022 incorporating a design for improved press-fit fixation. The Company has < 10% penetration in cementless w/ runway ahead for the new knee to take off. ZBH Q421 Earnings Transcript on Unhedged.com

• Biogennix*  
  

  On FY21 performance, Biogennix’s CEO Chris MacDuff also mentioned the Company saw increasing sales for its newest product, Agilon Moldable, esp in the F&A surgery market. The company also continued to see consistently strong growth of Agilon Moldable in the spine market segment.

Patents:

• CONMED* 

  Conmed’s US Patent Application “Dual Expansion Anchor” was published describing a suture anchor with an expanding function for biceps tenodesis. 20220039792

• Expandable Intervertebral Device
  

  A US Patent Application “EXPANDABLE INTERVERTEBRAL DEVICE,” submitted by the Moskowitz Family, LLC of Rockville, MD was published describing a universal zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacer device for fusion & distraction throughout the entire spine. 20220039963

• Stryker*

  Howmedica Osteonics’ US Patent Application “ORTHOPEDIC SURGICAL PLANNING BASED ON SOFT TISSUE AND BONE DENSITY MODELING” was published describing virtual surgery planning using a mixed-reality headset display. 20220039868

From Site of Care Migration to the Impact of Reimbursement Changes SmartTRAK evaluates market trends to watch for in 2022.
by Gary Delhougne, GM Wound

The Skin Substitute/CTP (Cellular and/or Tissue-based Products) market is undergoing significant growth and change. Reimbursement motives, COVID-19 and clinician site of care decisions had a profound impact on the market in 2020 and 2021. The growth outlook for 2022 remains strong as providers and industry adapt to unique market conditions.

SmartTRAK estimates the 5-year CAGR (compound annual growth rate) through 2025 for Skin Substitutes/CTP products to be in the mid to high single digits. In 2020, industry revenue surpassed $1B and SmartTRAK expects the market to pass $1.5B by 2025.

To better understand the impact of site of care changes, SmartTRAK launched a new subscription module specifically covering site of care changes occurring in the Skin Substitute/CTP market. It’s SmartTRAK’s fastest-growing new product offering and you can learn more by clicking here.

As SmartTRAK looks to 2022, we see three trends to consider for the Skin Substitute/CTP market –

We are pleased to announce that Kris Flinn has joined the team at SmartTRAK as an analyst in Wound Care. Kris has 20+ years of experience within wound care, including Smith & Nephew. Kris recently ran a consultancy focusing on assisting med device companies with commercial strategies. He is based in England.

Meet Kris Finn:

What is your role with SmartTRAK? I’m an analyst within the wound team, with a particular focus on NPWT in Europe.

What do you like about SmartTRAK? The quality of the information and analysis produced is excellent, and something which does not exist anywhere else. All of the team members are true experts in their field, and have the experience and networks to prove it.

What is something special or unique that you bring to SmartTRAK subscribers?

SmartTRAK, the leading source of competitive intelligence used by the top ten global orthopedic & wound care companies, was once again cited as a trusted source, this time in ConvaTec's press release "Entry into the attractive wound biologics segment through the acquisition of Triad Life Sciences Inc" published January 28th.

ConvaTec, in the press release, stated that it was " ...

Jointechlabs – Emerging leader in point-of-care regenerative and rejuvenation medicine therapies

Nathan Katz PhD, ALBB, Co-founder, CEO and Chief Technical Officer at Jointechlabs* (JTL) discussed the Company’s unique technology platform and product developments in a recent interview with SmartTRAK.

JTL is a privately-held regenerative medicine solutions company based in North Barrington, IL. As an emerging leader in point-of-care regenerative and rejuvenation medicine therapies, JTL has patented, portable medicine products that enable personalized therapies. The Company’s lead product, MiniTC*, is an FDA-cleared portable medical device for isolation of fragmented and purified fat grafts (microfat) at the point-of-care. Additionally, JTL is developing therapies for unmet medical needs, with its first product candidate, JTL-T-01*, a proprietary injectable stem cell scaffold in clinical development as a biologic therapy for osteoarthritis, for approval under the FDA’s fast-track program.

SmartTRAK: Can you first tell us a little bit about yourself and then about Jointechlabs?

Nathan Katz: I have a medical background. I graduated from medical school back many years ago in Russia, then graduated from Tel Aviv University and acquired my Master’s Degree and PhD in Cell Biology. I came to the US 16 years ago, first, working on genetics and embryonic stem cells. I spent quite a lot of time in research with embryonic stem cells in the first decade of this millennia and then I was looking for the technology that could be translated into applicable medical technology and translated into therapy.

Adult stem cells came up as the first and obvious choice to look at more precisely, so we shifted, and I shifted personally, my focus from embryonic stem cells towards adult stem cells. I came across PadZuke, and Patricia, who published the first publication on actual adipose-derived stem cells in 2001. My idea was that it is the right way to go and could lead to ...

To read the entire interview with Dr. Katz, please click the button below to download the complete transcript.

SmartTRAK is the leading source of competitive intelligence used by the top ten global wound care & orthopedics companies. If you would like a demo of what SmartTRAK has to offer and how we can help increase proficiency, improve productivity and reduce costs for your company, just click here.