Epica, a company based in San Clemente, California, won FDA clearance for its SeeFactorCT3 system that combines computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy, and digitial radiography (DR) into a single device. It is intended for use in diagnostic, interventional, and intraoperative procedures mostly involving the head, neck, and extremities. As such, it i (Read more...)
Tag: Orthopedic Surgery
Laser Activated Gold Nanorods Create Silk Seal for Incisions and Wounds
Staples and sutures are currently used to seal soft tissues together in clinical practice, but researchers at Arizona State University have come up with an alternative technique that resembles welding. It may end up being used to seal tissues during surgeries and to treat wounds, and in many cases simply to enhance the effectiveness of […]
AI-Powered Motion Tracking Technology for Back Pain and COPD: Interview with Rutger Flohil, US CEO of Kaia Health
Kaia Health, a health technology company based in New York City, has developed a smartphone app that can guide users through exercises to help with back pain and COPD. The technology uses AI powered motion tracking technology to monitor users’ movements through a smartphone camera, and provides feedback on the exercises being performed. The a (Read more...)
Loop-X Surgical Imaging Robot Unveiled
Brainlab, out of Germany, just unveiled its flagship Loop-X mobile intraoperative imaging robot specifically designed for spinal surgical procedures. Developed by medPhoton, an Austrian company, the device is now the core of Brainlab’s imaging offerings. The device offers 2D and 3D intraprocedural imaging, moving as necessary along with the s (Read more...)
Galen Microsurgery System Eliminates Hand Tremor
Galen Robotics, a company based in Baltimore, Maryland, has been working on incorporating robotics and microsurgery. Microsurgery requires a steady hand and a great deal of patience, something that robots can be pretty good at. By creating an innovative interface between the surgeon’s hands and a specially designed robot, Galen’s techno (Read more...)
Cartilage on a Chip to Identify New Treatments for Osteoarthritis
Researchers from the Polytechnic University of Milan and the University Hospital of Basel have developed a microfluidic chip containing cartilage, which can be subjected to mechanical stress. The procedure mimics the conditions of osteoarthritis and could help in developing new treatments. Osteoarthritis is relatively common among people over 60, w (Read more...)
Nexus Ultrasonic Surgical Platform from Misonix Cleared in Europe
Mixonix, a Farmingdale, New York company that focuses on ultrasonic devices for surgical applications, including osteotomies and debridements, landed European CE Mark approval for its Nexus surgical platform. The system was FDA cleared earlier this year. The Nexus combines the capabilities of Mixonix’s three existing products, namely BoneScal (Read more...)
Back Brace Simulator Uses 3D Prints of Patient Spine and Rib Cage
The development of innovative back braces has stagnated a bit. In part, this is because different patients have unique needs and there isn’t a comprehensive platform to test how new braces will help support different anatomies. Now, a team of engineers at Lancaster University in the U.K. has developed a torso simulator that can help [… (Read more...)
Future of Robotics in Healthcare: Interview with Corey Ryan of Kuka Laboratories
As the manager of Medical Robotics at KUKA Robotics, Corey Ryan is at the helm of company’s research, sales, and growth in the medical sector for North America. Under his leadership, KUKA has diversified its expertise to grow its relationships with startups and expand its robotic applications. Corey is a sought after speaker and has [… (Read more...)
3D Printed Titanium Implants for Severe Spinal Deformities
Most medical implants are manufactured in quantity to cover large groups of people suffering from specific diseases. Those with rare conditions are often left out, but 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, now allows for the production of bespoke devices designed exclusively for individual patients. While 3D printing technology has adv (Read more...)
Custom 3D Printed Robotic Surgical Instruments for Every Patient
Today’s arthroscopic instruments that are used to perform minimally invasive procedures on hips, knees, and other parts of the body, are rigid devices. They also tend to be one-size-fits-all solutions that surgeons have to use on patients with varied anatomies. Now, a team at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision are working on being able (Read more...)
NuVasive Releases Pulse Spinal Surgical System
NuVasive, a company based in San Diego, California, is releasing its Pulse system. The product combines a number of technologies, including neuromonitoring, global alignment, rod bending, imaging with radiation reduction, and navigation, to help surgeons perform spinal procedures. The system is intended to be the core procedural component of any sp (Read more...)
NuVasive Releases Pulse Spinal Surgical System
NuVasive, a company based in San Diego, California, is releasing its Pulse system. The product combines a number of technologies, including neuromonitoring, global alignment, rod bending, imaging with radiation reduction, and navigation, to help surgeons perform spinal procedures. The system is intended to be the core procedural component of any sp (Read more...)
New Mini-MRI Prototype to Maximize Image Quality and Patient Comfort
Scientists at Imperial College London have developed a “mini-MRI” scanner prototype that they believe will change the way clinicians diagnose knee injuries. The research, recently published in the journal Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, describes accurate visualization of the knee joint anatomical structures in animal trials. The protot (Read more...)
Microfluidic Chip Allows Embryonic Stem Cells to Differentiate
Complex multicellular organisms, such as ourselves, start out from stem cells that differentiate into different kinds of cells. This process is controlled by groups of cells that secrete special signaling molecules called morphogens, which guide nearby stem cells to turn into the kinds of cells that should be located in that region. This is an [&he (Read more...)
Protein-Loaded Antimicrobial Hydrogel to Treat, Prevent Bone Infections
Bone infections are quite common following orthopedic surgery or as a result of injury or disease. They can be incredibly difficult to treat, and heavy duty antibiotic regimens coupled with debridement surgery is the current approach. Even after all that, inflammation is a frequent side effect. Now, researchers at Georgia Tech have created a hydrog (Read more...)
Researchers 3D Print Materials to Mimic Soft Tissues and Create Custom Braces
3D printing is already widely utilized in medicine during cardiac surgeries, to make orthopedic implants, and as guides to accurately put them in place. Typically, the devices that are printed are rigid, but the body is mostly made of soft tissues. Engineers at MIT have been working on offering clinicians a way to use additive […]
New Scaffold Helps to Heal Torn Meniscus
A torn meniscus in the knee is one of the most common injuries that athletes, soldiers, and regular folks tend to suffer from. Surgery is an option, but today’s techniques are severely lacking and often the final result is a lack of healing coupled with osteoarthritis later in life. Now, researchers from Duke University have […]
Nexus Ultrasonic Surgical Platform from Misonix FDA Cleared
Mixonix, a Farmingdale, New York company that specializes in ultrasonic devices for surgical applications such as osteotomies and debridements, won FDA clearance for the new Nexus surgical platform. The Nexus combines the capabilities of Mixonix’s three existing products, namely BoneScalpel, SonicOne and Sonastar, into a single system that ca (Read more...)
World’s First Surgical Vending Machine
Xenco Medical, a company that makes disposable spinal tools and implants, is unveiling a vending machine for tracking and dispensing these devices. Clinicians have a huge touchscreen display to choose what they’d like to retrieve out of the machine. The same display can be used to get some specs on the various devices and watch […]