Europe: Hip Replacements Increase by 33%, Knees by 50% Plus
Between 1998 and 2008, European countries saw a huge increase in hip and knee replacements. This trend is expected to continue, as the prevalence of osteoarthritis goes up during the next few years. Two main factors, which come as no surprise, can be blamed for the rise in this condition--an aging population and the rise of obesity. The report, Health at a Glance: Europe 2010, also states that...
Sourcing Suppliers of Machining Services
Finding a supplier that has a solid understanding of materials has a strong influence on the success of a product. Machining medical implants and instruments is a complex process. The properties of the raw materials and the production processes used to manufacture medical devices can present extreme machining challenges. For those and other reasons, medical device OEMs should invest...
The Future: Orthopaedic Coverage from Head to Toe
When Cayenne Medical (Scottsdale, AZ) was founded in 2005, its vision was to create the complete package for the knee and all soft tissue-type reconstruction. After having success with products designed for this area, the company’s goal has transformed into becoming a one-stop shop for an orthopaedic surgeon.  “Cayenne’s goal is to grow into a comprehensive sports...
Forming Technology With a Twist
  Koslosky Finding the ideal material for an orthopaedic implant isn’t always a straightforward process. As manufacturers look for more effective and less invasive technologies, Secant Medical LLC (Perkasie, PA) has stepped up to the plate in working with customers to not just develop a customized technology but also to understand their specific needs. The company places...
Bicompartmental Knees Inch into Total Knee Market
The iDuo G2, from ConforMIS, targets only the diseased portions of the knee. Tissue and bone preservation has become a big deal in orthopaedics. When ConforMIS Inc. came out with technologies that not only precisely fit patients but also avoided removing bone, it was praised for its innovation. Although the company continues to improve its products, John Slamin, senior vice president...
Barely Scratching the Surface
A close-up of a spinal implant with a proprietary texture etched into the surface. Until very recently, there were a limited number of surface texture application methods available to designers and manufacturers of metal orthopaedic implants. The most commonly used were porous coated beads and plasma spray to provide on-growth surfaces to orthopaedic implants. Today, an increasing...
Ortho Industry Digs Beneath the Surface for Success
In the past month alone, orthopaedics companies have laid the grounds for future success. They’ve added jobs, engaged in acquisitions to solidify product lines, and many manufacturers have reported encouraging financial results.    Biomet announced a plan to add nearly 280 jobs to its Warsaw, IN headquarters over the next two years and is spending $26 million on site...
Using Green Technology to Machine Materials
A close-up view of a fixture holding nitinol tubing illustrates the accurate features generated by an MDP patent-pending, threading process. This unique grinding technology often eliminates the need for subsequent operations. (Photos courtesy of TESCAN USA/OBERG INDUSTRIES) Generating a feature in standard alloys can be challenging. Design criteria mandate smaller products, more-...
Start-Up Help: OrthoVation Keeps Innovation Local
  In addition to being the president and CEO of MicroPulse (Columbia City, IN), Brian Emerick is an investor. He houses a business incubation center, called the OrthoVation Center, within MicroPulse for orthopaedic start-ups in Indiana. While many start-up companies have a difficult time attracting investors, the OrthoVation Center is helping them succeed. “Start-ups fail many times [...
Biomet, Zimmer, Stryker, Wright Medical, Among Top 25 Medical Device Players
Aside from being top companies within the orthopaedics industry, Biomet, Stryker, Zimmer, Wright Medical, Synthes, and Smith & Nephew are among the top 25 manufacturers in the entire medical device industry. In an article published by MD+DI, Yair Holtzman and Tom Figgatt, Sr of WTP Advisors discuss how these companies successfully made it through the rough economy of the past few years....