This article is written by William Fuller, Director of Business Development, DSM Biomedical.

Innovation and constant advancement dominate the medical device industry due to the changing healthcare landscape and patient demand for high quality outcomes. Many of the advances in the medical device industry will come from revolutionary biomaterials that help enable the function of the devices. The impact of these novel biomaterials will be particularly significant to orthopedic implant devices.

The Food and Drug Administration granted 35 orthopedic- and spine-focused 510(k) clearances in April.

Here are 20 recent news updates for orthopedic and spine device companies.

Stryker reported 1.3 percent net sales growth in the first quarter of 2013, but net earnings decreased 13.1 percent when compared with the first quarter of 2012.

RTI Biologics reported an 8 percent drop in first quarter revenue for 2013 when compared with 2012, due to weakness in the sports medicine, bone graft substitutes and the general orthopedic businesses.

SpineMark and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, London, have developed a spine research unit within RNOH called Spinal Research Stanmore.

Medtronic has begun enrolling patients in its clinical trial for a back pain treatment device, according to the Memphis Business Journal.

The Food and Drug Administration granted 31 orthopedic- and spine-related clearances in March.

Princeton, N.J.-based Regentis Biomaterials has increased the number of sites in its clinical trial of the GelrinC tissue regeneration implant.

A new study shows female-specific knee implants may not improve outcomes in female total knee replacement patients, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.