Device Companies — 11 Key Notes — Medtronic, Stryker, Zimmer & More

Here are 11 key notes on major spine and orthopedic device companies. Minneapolis-based Medtronic purchased New Jersey-based Tyrx, maker of infection-reducing implant envelopes, for $160 million.

Stryker has agreed to acquire Patient Safety Technologies for $120 million or $2.22 per share.

Zimmer insider Jeffrey Mccaulley recently sold 21,286 shares of the stock at an average price of $93; the total transaction was nearly $2 million.

Globus Medical received a patent for its transverse fixation device for spinal fixation systems, designed to eliminate the limitations of other rod fixation systems by providing two connecting bodies with a small degree of adjustability.

Carlsbad, Calif.-based Alphatec Holdings appointed Mike Plunkett to succeed Pat Ryan as chief operating officer.

San Francisco and Paris-based SpineGuard announced the appointment of Pierre Guyot to its board of directors.

Mazor Robotics received two orders in late December for its Renaissance spine system, one from Littleton (Colo.) Adventist Hospital and the second from a hospital in Haifa, Israel.

Boston Scientific announced that it is looking to boost its bottom line in the Chinese market by adding new employees in China as well as surgeon training centers.

NuVasive received a patent for a system and method for spinal fusion.

Early in 2013, NuVasive spent $4.5 million to purchase one of its Ohio-based contract manufacturing partners, ANC LLC, and the acquisition is expected to boost its workforce by 25 percent this year.

DePuy Synthes Spine collaborated with DePuy Synthes Biomaterials to launch the CONFORM SHEET, a demineralized cancellous bone matrix for posterolateral spinal fusion surgery.

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