Here are 10 things for spinal surgeons to know for August 13, 2015.
Dr. Steven Falowski performs St. Luke's University Health Network's 1st live stream neurosurgery
Steven Falowski, MD, performed the first live feed neurosurgery at St. Luke's University Health Network. The neurosurgical procedure was conducted to implant spinal cord stimulators, deep brain stimulators and pain pumps to show Medtronic engineers how their products are used.
7 profit-driving services that improve spine & pain practice quality
Urine testing, physical therapy, psychotherapy, ambulatory surgery center, medication gels and topic creams, cash-pay pain procedures and telemedicine are all ancillary services that have the potential to increase profitability among spine and pain practices.
Titan Spine exceeds 50% sales growth in first half of 2015
Titan Spine, a medical device surface technology company, saw growth in the first half of 2015. The growth is attributed to the increasing demand for the company's titanium spinal interbody fusion devices. Titan Spine expects to surpass $32 million in sales and implant more than 10,000 devices in 2015.
Admissions up 53% at Butler Hospital since opening neurosurgery practice
The neurosurgery practice at Butler (Pa.) Memorial Hospital has increased the hospital's admissions over the past two years. Michael Horowitz, MD, and Pedro Aguilar, MD, started performing neurosurgical procedures at Butler Hospital in 2013
Are scoliosis patients compensating for abnormal alignment?
Researchers looked at the association between the cervical spine alignment and Lenke type for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, according to a study published in Spinal Deformity. There was less cervical kyphosis in patients with Lenke 3 or Lenke 4 curves and more kyophis in Lenke 1, Lenke 2, Lenke 5 and Lenke 6 curves. Patients with AIS appeared to compensate for abnormal thoracic sagittal alignment with changes in cervical sagittal alignment.
SeaSpine launches Ventura NanoMetalene spine device
The Ventura NanoMetalene is a transformational intervertebral body fusion device. It is commercially available and has been successfully implanted in patients. The device is indicated for use as an adjunct to fusion in patients with degenerative disc disease and builds on the company's Hollywood NanoMetalene interbody device. It is made of thin commercially pure titanium molecularly bonded to PEEK-OPTIMA implants.
InVivo Therapeutics promotes 2 to bolster spinal cord injury innovation
The biomaterials and biotechnology company focused on spinal cord injuries promoted two members of its management team. Christopher McNulty was named senior vice president of business development and investor relations and Alex Aimetti, PhD, was named senior director of medical education and scientific support.
Carilion Clinic converting grocery store into $15M orthopedics, spine institute
Carilion Clinic will turn a former grocery store into a new building for orthopedics and neurosciences. The 117,000-square-foot building will include two entrances and a two-story lobby. It is expected that the new center will attract orthopedics and neurology specialists to the area. The clinic expects to open the new building in January 2016.
St. Jude Medical names Zimmer Biomet's David Dvorak to board
President and CEO of Zimmer Biomet, David Dvorak, was named to St. Jude Medical's board of directors. He helped with Zimmer's acquisition of Biomet, making the combined company a powerhouse in the orthopedic device industry.
Monteris Medical names new board member
Monteris Medical appointed James Reinstein to its board of directors. Mr. Reinstein served as president and CEO of Aptus Endosystems and executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Cyberonics. He spent time in leadership roles with Boston Scientific where he built and managed successful operational teams in Latin America and Asia.