Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for July 6, 2017.
Trial: American Spine Center's Dr. Atif Malik will receive 2 trials for kickback, tax crime accusations
Atif Babar Malik, MD, of Frederick, Md.-based American Spine Center, will face two separate trials for allegedly receiving kickbacks and participating in a tax fraud scheme, The Frederick News-Post reports. On June 28, 2016, a federal grand jury indicted Dr. Malik and four others for allegedly participating in a $1.37 million kickback scheme.
Medtronic may soon conclude Infuse lawsuits
Medtronic PLC reportedly informed investors that it's close to settling lawsuits pertaining to its bone morphogenetic protein product Infuse. The company reached an agreement to settle "substantially all" of the lawsuits related to Infuse, totaling around 6,000 actual and threatened suits in a securities filing. The settlement amounts are confidential. However, the company set aside $300 million for legal fees.
8 trends in spine, orthopedics and ASCs over the next 5 years
Orthopedic and spine surgeons around the country are beginning to perform outpatient procedures, including total joints and spinal fusions, and many of these procedures can be performed in an ambulatory surgery center. This concept is new for many surgeons, but a few industry pioneers gathered last week in Chicago have decades of experience. Read what they had to say, here.
Global spinal implants market set to hit $14B by 2022
The global spinal implants market is set to hit $14 billion by 2022, according to a Market Research Future report. North America captures the greatest market share, with Europe following second. Key market players include Alphatec Spine, Amedica, DePuy Synthes, Exactech, Globus Medical, Integra LifeSciences, K2M, Medtronic, NuVasive, Orthofix, RTI Surgical, Stryker, Quandary Medical and Zimmer Biomet.
Life Spine adds to OSSEO-LOC product family
Life Spine reported the full commercial launch of additions to its OSSEO-LOC spinal implant family: ProLift Expandable PLIF/TLIF Spacer System and TiBOW Expandable TLIF Spacer System. The OSSEO-LOC product family includes titanium surface treated implants. The surface treatment provides a unique osteophylic surface architecture for potential bone on-growth.
SpineGuard and Adin Dental Implant System sign licensing agreement
SpineGuard signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Adin Dental Implant Systems for the use of SpineGuard's Dynamic Surgical Guidance technology. Adin develops, manufactures and sells products and services in the dental field, offering technological solutions to customers worldwide.
Trump nominates Dr. Jerome Adams for surgeon general
Jerome Adams, MD, is President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general. As surgeon general, Dr. Adams would head the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Dr. Adams is currently the state health commissioner of Indiana. Vice President Mike Pence appointed Dr. Adams to this position in October 2014.
Minority representation among orthopedic residents
A recent study published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons showed low levels of diversity among minorities in orthopedic surgery, which remains one of the least diverse specialties in medicine. Minority groups represent only 6 percent of the U.S. physicians, with orthopedic surgeons being predominantly Caucasian males.