We covered a lot of ground in 2018. Everything from breaking medical device event coverage to interviews with some of the industry's top thought leaders.  We wrote and you read.  Here are the Top Blog Posts of 2018 that garnered the most attention from you and your colleagues.

As a reminder, if you'd like to stay on top of hot trends and technologies in the ortho, wound and neuro markets, make sure to sign up to receive a weekly summary of our latest blog posts.

Without further ado, SmartTRAK's 12 Top Blog Posts of the past year (not just 10, because at SmartTRAK, we always deliver more than expected) 

Acquisitions and Partnerships are Highpoints in Q318

SmartTRAK reports that the US OrthoBio Market (comprised of Bone Replacement, Cartilage, Soft Tissue and Meniscus) is growing at 4.1% YTD. For Q318, there were no surprises and the segment reached...

Among the many topics covered in the Q318 OrthoBio Market Recap are:

All segments showing softness, lowest quarterly growth rate since 2015

For Q318, according to BioMedGPS’ SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard, WW Advanced Wound Care (AWC) revenues for Advanced Dressings, External Devices and Biologics was up +3.0% YoY, with Acelity, also known as KCI, maintaining its leadership position with estimated Q318 revenues of...

SmartTRAK was excited to attend the 2018 Orthopaedic Summit (OSET), on December 5-8 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada. And, our very own Kristina Meyer, Senior Analyst, Sports Medicine, landed on the front of the OSET banners. We always knew Kristina was a pretty big deal!  Thanks OSET for the coverage.

Pricing pressure continues to dampen the US Joint Fluid market, which experienced a double-digit decline of -9.9% according to SmartTRAK's Financial Dashboard results. While the market continues to expand in terms of the number of patients treated, ASPs have steadily eroded over the past three quarters since the Anthem non-coverage decision kicked in earlier this year. Year-to-date, the US Joint Fluid market slowed significantly, posting negative growth according to SmartTRAK estimates...

It’s no surprise that Q318 US revenue growth accelerated YoY when, for the same period last year, the US Total Joints Market experienced major market disruption from two major hurricanes which delayed procedures beyond the usual Q3 procedural slowdown. Industry analysts, including Cantor Fitzgerald’s Craig Bijou, report that US recon growth was relatively flat on a stacked two-year basis. From this perspective, SmartTRAK believes this trend confirms the market is not showing major signs of improvement or decline...

Among the many topics covered in detail in the Q318 Total Joints Market Recap are:

Products that prevent peripheral IV failures could be the next big thing in the market for vascular access adjunct products, a market opportunity valued at more than $600MM in the US alone, according to SmartTRAK estimates.

All eyes were on the high failure rate of peripheral IVs at the Association of Vascular Access (AVA) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, with speakers highlighting the 2015 article by Helm et al. “Accepted but Unacceptable: Peripheral IV Catheter Failure,” which estimates a PIV failure rate of 35% to 50% primarily caused by phlebitis, infiltration, occlusion/mechanical failure, dislodgment and infection. Failure is defined as the removal of the catheter prior to the end of its intended life or before the 72 to 96 hours previously used as a guideline. And with up to 90% of all hospitalized patients receiving a PIV, it is a standard but often overlooked procedure in the hospital.

The primary emphasis over the last 10 to 15 years has been the reduction of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) associated with central line catheters. Driving this focus has been CMS reimbursement penalties for hospital acquired central line bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). This new focus on PIVs could be exciting for manufacturers, especially those with adjunct vascular access products. Clinicians insert approximately 250 million PIVs every year in the US (assuming a 25% failure rate on first insertion), a market that is 25 times larger than the US market for central line catheters...

SmartTRAK is excited to be attending OSET - the 2018 Orthopaedic Summit- on December 5-8 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kristina Meyer, Senior Analyst, Sports Medicine will be representing BioMedGPS SmartTRAK at the conference.

During the conference, we are inviting a select few attendees to take part in a complimentary, private “Ask the Analyst” session with our Sports Medicine Expert, Kristina Meyer at the SmartTRAK Booth,  # 326, at OSET.

What can you talk to Kristina about? Here’s what others have asked in the past:

SmartTRAK is so proud of its very latest cutting edge module, Computer-Assisted Surgery, both Spine and Ortho Segments. Elise Wolf, the creator of our Computer-Assisted Surgery Module, launched both in online webinars, the videos which are available to view now! 

Elise Wolf, our Sr. Analyst for Computer Assisted Surgery, led both the webinars and has over 14 years of industry experience in roles including product development, marketing and business development consulting in robotics, emerging medical device technologies and orthopedics.

Please enjoy these overview videos of both modules.

Don't forget! BioMedGPS recently expanded coverage of SmartTRAK Business Intelligence in the realm of Robotic and Computer Assisted Surgery with the launch of the US Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) – Ortho module on Tuesday, November 13th.

• Computer Assisted Surgery - Ortho – Tues, Nov. 13 - Register at www.smarttrak.com/cas-ortho

The module provides real time, up-to-date market data, including 5-year market and procedural projections, quarterly revenue tracking, competitive overviews, clinical and regulatory activities and much more.

The new module covers:

• Robotics
• Navigation and surgical planning systems
• Augmented reality technologies 
• Artificial intelligence

The SmartTRAK Robotic and Computer Assisted Surgery module will be managed by Elise Wolf,  a biomedical engineer that worked at a startup out of Carnegie Mellon University on robotic technologies early in her career.