Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for July 20, 2017.
Stryker to receive $248.7M in most recent patent infringement decision against Zimmer Biomet
U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker in Grand Rapids, Mich., found in favor of Stryker Crop., in a patent infringement case against Zimmer Biomet and awarded the orthopedic device company giant $248.7 million, according to Reuters. Read more about the lawsuit here.
CMS proposes 2 new spine codes for the ASC payable list
CMS released the 2018 proposed rule for hospital outpatient departments and proposed adding two new spine procedures to the ambulatory surgery center payable list. The two new spine codes include:
• Cervical artificial disc arthroplasty: 22856
• Second-level cervical discectomy: 22828
Cervical Spine Research Society Executive Director Peggy Wlezien retires; Kerri Mink steps in
Peggy Wlezien retired from her post as the executive director of the Cervical Spine Research Society. Kerri L. Mink is the organization's new executive director. She has previous experience as the COO of the American Brain Tumor Association.
Scoliosis Research Society names Drs. Peter Newton, Sebastien Pesenti Whitecloud Award winners
The Scoliosis Research Society honored two surgeons with the 2017 Whitecloud Award at the Scoliosis Research Society's 2017 International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques in South Africa. Peter Newton, MD, received the clinical award and Sebastien Pesenti, MD, received the basic science award.
Medicrea reports 41% jump in UNiD ASI systems revenue for first half of 2017
The Medicrea Group reported its sales for the first half of 2017. The company saw sales totaling $16.75 million for the first half of the year. In the U.S. Medicrea's UNiD ASI systems technology revenue saw a 41 percent jump in the first half of 2017, compared to the first half of 2016.
Jana receives clearance to purchase additional Zimmer Biomet shares
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission granted Jana Partners clearance to purchase Zimmer Biomet shares. The decision allows the hedge fund to purchase additional stake in the company, according to Reuters. Zimmer Biomet's longtime CEO David Dvorak stepped down on July 11 and the company's CFO stepped in as interim CEO while the company conducts a nationwide search for Mr. Dvorak's replacement.
Implanet reports 19% boost in JAZZ sales in first half of 2017
In the first half of 2017, Implanet saw revenue of about $4.77 million. JAZZ sales spiked 19 percent in the first half of 2017, reaching $2.78 million. The JAZZ sales accounted for 58 percent of the company's total revenue, compared to 49 percent in 2016.
25% of pediatric neurosurgery reoperations planned
Researchers investigated reoperations within 48 hours after pediatric neurosurgery procedures, in a study published in Journal of Neurosurgery. Researchers discovered 221 reoperations within 48 hours of the index surgery. This correlated to a 2.78 percent overall incidence of the surgeries. Of the 221 reoperations, 159 represented unplanned reoperations. About one-fourth of the reoperations were planned.