ODT’s Most-Read Stories This Week—June 17

Solutions—technological and financial—generated the most pageviews this past week on ODT’s website.

Leading the pack was Smith+Nephew’s FDA 510(k) clearance of its Aetos shoulder system. Designed to restore range of motion and minimize arthritic shoulder pain, Aetos features a Meta Stem that was engineered to maximize stability, preserve bone, and maintain patient anatomy. It is indicated for anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Aetos also requires fewer steps for conversion and fewer instruments for primary anatomic and reverse surgeries. 

Marrow Access Technologies drove a considerable amount of traffic too, with the U.S. launch of its SmartShot marrow access device, designed specifically to address the unique needs of ankle joint preservation. SmartShot uses a patented mechanism to create deep, microneedle channels into bone to stimulate the patient’s own natural healing reaction. The penetration of the outer layers of bone allows blood and stem cells from within the bone marrow to activate cartilage, ligament, and tendon healing. In a recently published, independently funded and peer-reviewed animal study, University of Pennsylvania researchers concluded that SmartShot best preserved the underlying subchondral bone compared to traditional marrow access approaches.

An online exclusive about innovative solutions for people living with physical disabilities garnered interest among cybervisitors this past week, as did a partnership between four medical device manufacturers to offer an end-to-end solution for device additive manufacturing. The companies include EOS, Tecomet, Orthopaedic Innovation Centre, and Precision ADM, and the partnership itself comprises front-end engineering and design services, FDA 510(k) approval pathways, device and machine validation, pre-clinical testing, and commercialization.

Theradaptive amassed pageviews as well for its $26 million in Series A funding. The company plans to use the money to prepare for its first-in-human clinical trials later this year. The investment also will support the expansion of Theradaptive’s platform beyond orthopedics to additional indications such as oncology and dental. The round brings Theradaptive’s total funding to more than $50 million. The company has previously been awarded non-dilutive grant funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund. 

1. Smith+Nephew’s Aetos Shoulder Earns FDA Nod

2. Envisioning Access Pioneers Technological Breakthroughs for People With Physical Disabilities

3. Marrow Access Technologies Releases Ankle Cartilage Repair Solution

4. Four Companies Partner to Provide AM Solution for Medical Devices

5. Theradaptive Closes $26 Million Series A Funding Round