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SmartTRAK Life Sciences News and Analysis Blog

3 min read

The Future of PEKK in Orthopedics: An Interview w/ Oxford Performance Materials' Scott Felice

By Nick Fitzpatrick on 1/23/23 10:18 AM

SmartTRAK interviews Oxford Performance Materials CEO Scott DeFelice to learn more about the company’s PEKK-based materials solutions in orthopedics.

In an interview with   SmartTRAK, Oxford Performance Materials’ (OPM) CEO Scott DeFelice explains the history of his company, the difference between PEKK, PEEK and titanium-based implants and the Company’s future plans in the orthopedic space.

To find out more, including OPM’s plan to expand into the custom trauma market and its planned release of an all-polymer total knee, just click on the following video to listen to the full interview. (29:13 min).  A link to download a transcript of the complete interview is also provided below.

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2 min read

A Shifting Procedural Landscape: Q322 Spine Market Recap

By Courtney Sheedy on 1/12/23 9:52 AM

SmartTRAK reports that Q322 Spine Market performance drove a lack of consensus on operational performance metrics, while a shifting procedural landscape offered new product opportunities for small and mid-tier players, driving competitive pressure.

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q322 Spine Market Recap* are:

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2 min read

New Products and Easier Comps Drive US Growth: Q322 Trauma Market Recap

By Natasha Weeks on 1/3/23 9:30 AM

Despite declining OUS results, the US Trauma Market experienced healthy growth attributed to adoption of new products.

While OUS results declined in Q322 due to foreign currency headwinds and China’s value-based pricing, the US drove the overall market through product penetration and easier comps due to the Q321 COVID waves that impacted procedural volumes last year. Companies posted healthy US growth, attributing new products for driving growth, with plans for additional launches in Q4 and 2023.

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q322 Trauma Market Recap* are:

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2 min read

A Tidal Wave of Competitors: Q322 CAS Spine Market Recap

By Shelly Caruso on 12/19/22 6:41 PM

Q322 sees a tidal wave of new robotic spine surgery competitors as well as data-driven initiatives under development by a host of companies in the market for spine enabling tech.

Q322 was nothing short of a tidal wave of competitive entrants to the US Spine Robotic Surgery space. Medtronic* (MDT) and  Globus* remain top players as OUS companies like France’s  eCential Robotics* and Taiwan’s  Point Robotics MedTech* set their sights on the US market. The Q322 WW CAS Spine Market was up, according to  SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. MDT remained the market leader with 49.0% share, followed by Globus and other enabling tech competitors like Brainlab* and Stryker* (SYK).

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q322 CAS Spine Market Recap* are:

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3 min read

Bolt Navigation: Simplifying Spinal Navigation-An Interview with CEO Patrick West

By Shelly Caruso on 12/12/22 10:00 AM

SmartTRAK interviews Bolt Navigation CEO Patrick West to learn more about the Company and its potentially disruptive solution for streamlined spinal navigation.

One of the most exciting enabling technologies on display at the recent North American Spine Society (NASS) 2022 annual meeting in Chicago was the Bolt Navigation System, a novel, FDA-pending technology developed by Bolt Navigation to simplify spinal navigation. Designed by a practicing neurosurgeon, Bolt utilizes a software application to leverage the positional guidance inherent in an iPhone for intraoperative spine screw planning and placement guidance. The system works without a reference frame and can be used with a patient's diagnostic MRI or CT and a single C-arm shot once the patient is positioned. It is implant agnostic and can be attached to almost any instrument.

To find out more about Bolt Navigation and this potentially disruptive solution for streamlined spinal navigation, listen to SmartTRAK’s interview with CEO Patrick West in the following video (30:47 min). A link to a transcript of the complete interview is also provided below.

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10 min read

What's New in Trauma and Extremities?

By Natasha Weeks on 12/5/22 10:12 AM

In the market for Trauma & Extremities, companies continue to innovate with new product introductions as well as a value-based care approach that promotes supporting clinical evidence for new and existing products showing their benefits to the patient and the hospital. Manufacturers are investing in solutions beyond implants to differentiate themselves and gain share in the Trauma & Extremities markets. SmartTRAK has observed a variety of strategies and solutions in the fast-paced hallux valgus segment as well as investment in deformity correction and periprosthetic solutions. The following is a sample of SmartTRAK's recent Trauma & Extremities news and developments from around the world, compiled, curated and posted in real-time by the expert analysts at SmartTRAK.

We constantly monitor the worldwide MedTech industry, sifting through the noise to present to our subscribers the most relevant international news, trends, new products, patents, financial data and competitor developments in the global Life Sciences industry. If you'd like to receive these expert insights daily, Contact Us to learn more. Our users think it's the perfect way to start their day.

New Products:

  • CAPTIVATE Cannulated Screw System* - Globus*

    Globus announced the launch of the CAPTIVATE Headed Cannulated Screw System in diameters 2.5/3.0 mm, 3.5/4.0 mm, 4.5/5.5 mm. SmartTRAK reviewed the products at OTA with Globus as the Company fills out its Trauma & Extremities portfolio. LinkedIn

  • Stryker launched the Gamma4 System, the next-gen IM nail system from the IM Nail market leader (45.6% US share in 2021) according to SmartTRAK’s Financial Dashboard. The new system features a precision pin, redefined nail design and integrated instrument.

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2 min read

Economics and the Shift to ASCs: SmartTRAK at AAHKS 2022

By Lisa Mahan on 11/29/22 9:30 AM

Highlighting the economic conversation at AAHKS 2022 changing the landscape of joint replacement

At the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) 2022 Annual Meeting in Dallas, SmartTRAK identified economics as a leading conversation theme under the guise of other topics. AAHKS 2022 itself was not immune to rising economic pressures as many clinicians were rumored to have backed out of attending the meeting and several exhibiting companies scaled down their participation as well. Surgeons not only attended sessions to enhance their clinical knowledge, but they also discussed facing the challenges of reduced reimbursement. In the exhibit hall, Companies featured products and technologies seemingly geared towards the shift of hip and knee replacement procedures to the more cost-conscious ambulatory surgery center (ASC) setting.

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

  • Economic Pressures
  • Reimbursement Challenges 
  • The Decline of CMS Physician Primary Hip Replacement Reimbursement
  • Manufacturers Targeting ASCs, including:
    • Smith& Nephew
    • ConFormMIS
    • Exactech
    • Maxx Medical
    • DePuy Synthes
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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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1 min read

Trends and Advancements in Foot & Ankle: AOFAS 2022

By Natasha Weeks on 11/17/22 9:38 AM

SmartTRAK highlights new products and Company strategies to penetrate the Foot & Ankle space at AOFAS 2022

SmartTRAK identified several key themes and takeaways from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) 2022 meeting held recently in Quebec City, Canada. Manufacturers showcased product introductions with a continued focus on hallux valgus solutions and are investing in solutions beyond implants to differentiate themselves and gain share in the US Foot & Ankle Market.

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

  • Small, Niche Players Attempt to Gain Share
    • Globus Fills Out Trauma and Extremities Product Portfolios
    • Enovis Showcases New Products and Gains Traction in F&A Space
  • Direct-To-Consumer Marketing Drives Growth in Hallux Valgus Market
    • Treace Medical Outpaces Others
    • Medartis Showcases New Products
    • JNJ/DePuy/Synthes' Acquisition
    • Paragon28 Focuses on the MIS Segment

To download the complete "AOFAS 2022: Trends and Advancements in Foot & Ankle" article by SmartTRAK's Natasha Weeks, Sr. Analyst, Trauma & Extremities, just click the button below.Download the AOFAS 2022 Article

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2 min read

NASS 2022: Emerging Markets and Trends in Spine

By Courtney Sheedy on 11/3/22 9:30 AM

SmartTRAK identified several trends at NASS 2022 that have the potential to improve patient care and drive advancement in the spine market, including the shift of fusion procedures to the ASC setting, a potential tipping point for the adoption of endoscopic spine care, and emerging innovations within the interbody space.

At the North American Spine Society (NASS) 2022 Annual Meeting in Chicago, SmartTRAK witnessed a revival in energy that has been absent in recent years due to COVID-19, healthcare disruption and industry M&A integration. Exhibitors had the opportunity to teach attendees about new technology in a multitude of ways – a new live surgical theater was proudly projected throughout the exhibit hall and most companies were equally inviting to conversations about macro technology developments. Though SmartTRAK has seen so much innovation in spine over the recent several years, which of these advancements will truly lead to improved patient care? SmartTRAK identified several trends at NASS 2022 that have the potential to improve patient care and drive growth in the spine market over the coming two-to-five years. These include the shift of procedures from the hospital to outpatient and ambulatory surgery center (ASC) settings, increased adoption and adaptation within surgical approaches and the introduction of custom interbody implants, and many others.

Among the many topics covered in detail in this article are:

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