Device Companies — 7 Key Notes — Medtronic, Wright Medical Group & More

Here are seven key notes on major spine and orthopedic device companies. Stryker reported net earnings of $103 million for the third quarter, which is down dramatically from $353 million during the same period last year. Stryker's spine device sales increased 4.1 percent this quarter; recall charges cost the company $313 million this past quarter.

Medtronic launched a new procedure to allow for lateral access to the L5-S1 disc space.

Wright Medical Group, based in Memphis, Tenn., acquired French orthopedic device manufacturer Biotech International for $75 million.

Paris and San Francisco-based SpineGuard reported a net loss of $1.65 million for the last six months of 2013, a $300,000 improvement over the same period last year, and the company sold 3,000 units of it PediGuard system in the first half of the year, 49 percent of which sold to U.S. companies.

NuVasive launched the Bendini Spinal Rod Bending System and the XLIF Decade Plate.

Integra LifeSciences launched its Integra Proximal Humeral Fracture Plate System in the U.S.

DePuy Synthes filed a lawsuit against Globus Medical, accusing three former DePuy sales representatives of breaking contract agreements by working for Globus.

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