Here are seven things for spine surgeons to know for Thursday, May 23, 2013.

Minneapolis-based Medtronic announced it will cut approximately 500 jobs at its Minnesota facilities and 2,000 jobs worldwide, according to a TwinCities.com report.

Blue Belt Technologies has developed an implant partnership with DJO Surgical to use Blue Belt's NavioPFS orthopedic planning system with DJO's EPIK Unicompartmental Knee System, according to News-Medical.

Bedford, Mass.-based ConforMIS appointed Matthew Scott as its senior vice president of operations.

King of Prussia, Pa.-based Trice Orthopedics has appointed Richard Washburn as President and raised $3 million in start-up capital.

Raynham, Mass.-based Mitek Sports Medicine launched the HEALIX 3.4mm Suture Anchor for rotator cuff repair and the double-loaded minimally invasive partial thickness rotator cuff repair system for the HEALIX TRANSTEND Implant System.

New York City-based Paradigm Spine launched its coflex Solution website, a patient-centered site with information on lumbar spinal stenosis and both surgical and non-surgical treatment options.

At the 11th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference, in Chicago, James Lynch, MD, FRCSI, FAANS, will give a presentation titled "The Quantum Shift in Orthopedic and Spinal Implant Surgery."

Gainesville, Fla.-based Exactech received FDA clearance for the Gibralt Occipital Spine System, which features occipital plates and 360 degree articulating rods.

Miamisburg, Ohio-based X-Spine received FDA clearance for its Zygafix Facet Fusion System for fusion and stabilization of the facet joint.